Hank Bruce's Blog - Posts Tagged "gardening"
Some of My Best Friends Are Green
Welcome to my blog, but this isn’t really my blog at all. This is a dialog, a conversation between friends, an opportunity for both of us to share thoughts and learn from each other.
Each and everyone of us is the product of our youth and the example we saw in our parents. I am truly blessed with the parents and two older brothers who guided my journey through childhood.
My mother had this little story she used to tell me over and over during my childhood. I share this with you as a statement of why I read and write.
“If I have a dollar and you have a dollar, and I give you mine dollar and you give me your dollar, we both walk away with a dollar. If I have an idea, and you have an idea, and I give you my idea and you give me your idea, we both walk away with two ideas.”
My father was a carpenter and I grew up watching him share the artistry of his hands, and with wisdom of his mind. He was able to listen when people came to him with a problem, and with a smile lead them to a solution. Usually he would, in the process share, a story or two and a little laughter along the way. He taught me that it was all right to dream, and that a mistake was an opportunity to learn and do better the next time.
Mom & Dad often advised me, “Look for the good in everyone . You can learn something from everybody you meet, if you shut up and listen.” he was right. They also gave me a deep appreciation for a good story, both read and heard, and the knowledge that the good stories come form the everyday people.
This is the true value of communication, the trading of ideas, thoughts and the sheer joy of living. Much of my communication is through plants. Formally, this is called horticultural therapy. One of my heroes, Charles Lewis, in his pivotal book "Green Nature, Human Nature," referred to it as the people-plant connection.
Engaging in the activity of nurturing plants, experiencing them with our senses, and sharing them like Mom shared ideas, is empowering for all of us. Being with plants is also calming and can reduce stress, lower blood pressure and improve our circulation along with our attitude.
Even if the garden is a plant or two on the windowsill, there are opportunities for discovery, and opportunities to share the joy and the humor that is our reward for being in the companionship of plants. Yes, some of my best friends are green. Hmmmmm. That might be the title of a future book
Each and everyone of us is the product of our youth and the example we saw in our parents. I am truly blessed with the parents and two older brothers who guided my journey through childhood.
My mother had this little story she used to tell me over and over during my childhood. I share this with you as a statement of why I read and write.
“If I have a dollar and you have a dollar, and I give you mine dollar and you give me your dollar, we both walk away with a dollar. If I have an idea, and you have an idea, and I give you my idea and you give me your idea, we both walk away with two ideas.”
My father was a carpenter and I grew up watching him share the artistry of his hands, and with wisdom of his mind. He was able to listen when people came to him with a problem, and with a smile lead them to a solution. Usually he would, in the process share, a story or two and a little laughter along the way. He taught me that it was all right to dream, and that a mistake was an opportunity to learn and do better the next time.
Mom & Dad often advised me, “Look for the good in everyone . You can learn something from everybody you meet, if you shut up and listen.” he was right. They also gave me a deep appreciation for a good story, both read and heard, and the knowledge that the good stories come form the everyday people.
This is the true value of communication, the trading of ideas, thoughts and the sheer joy of living. Much of my communication is through plants. Formally, this is called horticultural therapy. One of my heroes, Charles Lewis, in his pivotal book "Green Nature, Human Nature," referred to it as the people-plant connection.
Engaging in the activity of nurturing plants, experiencing them with our senses, and sharing them like Mom shared ideas, is empowering for all of us. Being with plants is also calming and can reduce stress, lower blood pressure and improve our circulation along with our attitude.
Even if the garden is a plant or two on the windowsill, there are opportunities for discovery, and opportunities to share the joy and the humor that is our reward for being in the companionship of plants. Yes, some of my best friends are green. Hmmmmm. That might be the title of a future book
Can We Grow Peace in the Garden?
We have had the opportunity to work with Miho Komatsu, a gifted artist and musician. She illustrated "Miracle of the Moringa Tree" our first children's book. She has now provided more great art work to illustrate "The Children's Peace Garden."
Our goal is to have this book in print by the end of July. It was created to help children, families and communities find constructive ways to respond to conflict, prejudice, bullying, violence and ignorance.
The hope is that communities around the world will begin discussions on how to respond to these problems in a positive way and offers the concept of a peace garden as a safe place to begin to work together.
We have been asked to share this story with organizations around the world working to promote peace and celebrate the diversity that defines the human race. If you are a part of, or know of such an organization, please let me know. We are all in this together and each of us can be a part of the answer.
Our goal is to have this book in print by the end of July. It was created to help children, families and communities find constructive ways to respond to conflict, prejudice, bullying, violence and ignorance.
The hope is that communities around the world will begin discussions on how to respond to these problems in a positive way and offers the concept of a peace garden as a safe place to begin to work together.
We have been asked to share this story with organizations around the world working to promote peace and celebrate the diversity that defines the human race. If you are a part of, or know of such an organization, please let me know. We are all in this together and each of us can be a part of the answer.
