You get what you give. . .

Self-love journey has been a hit and a miss in the past few months. But learning to love oneself is a life long journey and the first step has been being gentle on myself. Forgiving for not being patient at times and at times being judgmental. Ensuring that I see myself as worthy and enough despite these setbacks. No matter what happens on the outside, any changes in the external circumstances, I keep practicing self-love. The weather has been very beautiful so have been mostly outdoors spending time with myself looking after the plants. Have introduced some new potted hangers to our veranda which are thriving. Also made a macramé hanger for one of them with hand painted pot. Love the little arty touch to the dangling string of pearls.

My Garden- Hanging basket

Last year on Mother’s Day the girls gave me couple of Chrysanthemums. This year with knowledge from my father I have managed to make some plantings from the mother plants. This activity has been meaningful in many ways that evoked so many happy feelings. Reminded me of my father’s garden back in Nagpur (India) where he still grows many different varieties of Chrysanthemums. At one point he almost had 100 different types. I saw him everyday after work attending to the plants with so much love. Thinking now, it must have felt it as a source of therapy to feel grounded after hard day work for him. The saying goes true ‘You reap what you sow’. Come winter, our garden is always a visual delight of colors. All his hard work would be seen in the magnificent display in the garden.

Sitting in the garden, looking at my baby plants, I am thinking, how different it can be with humans, ‘You reap what you sow’? I have been doing some binge watching on Netflix starting with The Crown. Have been always fascinated with the life of the royals. Something that resonated with me on similar lines. In Season 4: Episode 6, after Diana and Charles try to resolve their marriage during their visit to Australia. The scene is set in outback Australia. Both of them are saying how they felt unheard, not understood, and unappreciated by the other. They both felt need of occasional encouragement and wanted someone to pat their back. They decide to give each other the very same thing on a regular basis – encouragement. Quote “At any time we feel we are not getting what we need, at that very moment we need to give that very thing to other”. I felt it was such a powerful message in there. Like the plants ‘you reap what you sow’…. In other words ‘You get what you give’.

Treat others with love and respect. Sometimes it’s just about telling someone that you care for them no matter what. Imagine how you would feel if someone said the same thing to you. It makes us feel better about ourselves right. If yes then its important we treat others the way we hope to be treated. We being honest to others, makes us honest with our self.

I have tried to go on this path myself. On days when I feel very low and sad, I try to give happy moments to my family. Smiles on their face is enough to cheer me up. When I feel, no one appreciates work I do around the house, it's time to appreciate my husbands help with chores. He needs that too. Even at times, appreciating the girls bringing their lunch boxes or dinner plates to sink after dinner, or for putting their school bags in place (which happens rarely, after I have told them 10 times to do so...). But it counts, they should be appreciated too. And in return, I would get a surprising comment on dinner table that they liked the dinner I made. What else do I want....Happy moments.

So next time you feel you are not getting something (or wanting something emotionally), make sure you first attempt to give it to others around you.

If you liked the blog, please leave a comment, and share with your friends and family.

#arttherapy #challenge#artchanllenge#growthmindset#newhabit#creativelife #selflove #creativelife #postiveattitude #dailyinspiration#lifelesson#mindfullness