We are daily impacted by images of perfection. Perfect runway models, perfect "Martha Stewartesque" homes, perfectly prepared and presented meals in magazines, perfect gardens, perfect, perfect, perfect… All contrasted with the realities of OUR bodies, OUR homes, OUR meals and OUR gardens. Our hearts long for perfection, but we feel like such failures because no matter how hard we try, we simply cannot attain it.
In fact, the bible tells us that God created us with a heart, body, soul and spirit that was perfect in the beginning, until we sinned and fell from grace. I think that one of the most powerful evidences for the existence of originally perfect creation, is how passionately all of us long to return to it! Watch any two year old child attempt a task for the first time. He knows what perfection should look like and he gets furious because he can not attain it.
So what does this have to do with my garden? I have learned a valuable lesson in life that I want to share with you… "Perfection isn't attainable, but excellence is." I wanted to let you see my imperfections, so that you can become more comfortable sharing yours with those around you.
The images shown are the left and right sides of the same walkways. I've had to pick places to work on and places to let go. In a perfect world it would all look meticulously maintained… in my world, I just have to choose to look to the one side and look past the other! But isn't that really how we all have to go through life?
I'm doing my best to live an honest, truthful and transparent life, which to me means revealing the "real" me to the people I share my life with. Sometimes she's pretty crazy (my planting annuals in my bathrobe with my hair dye on story immediately comes to mind!) Sometimes she's overwhelmed by the responsibilities and commitments this art licensing world places on her shoulders. Some days she loves the world and others…. well, she wants to hide from it. But all the time she seeks to bring joy to others and enjoy life herself.
Living joyfully is learning to embrace that which is imperfect and yet delightful — to strive for excellence with every fiber of your being and be satisfied when you've done the best you can, with the time and resources you have. This is my philosophy for every area of my life, and especially for my garden.
I only have little bit of time available to tend to the garden, so I work to take charge of small areas at a time and confine my efforts to where I can make the biggest difference rather than trying to do everything at once. I work on the areas closest to the house where I can enjoy them the most. I work on the gardens with the best soil and growing conditions, so I get the most return on my effort. And every so often my garden rewards me with a beautiful blossom like the spectacular Peony above, that I'll treasure forever because I get to paint it and share it with you.
Remember, perfection isn't achievable… excellence is!
Audrey Jeanne Roberts.
The “Living joyfully” statement….says it all!
You are a jewel AJ…Thank You!
Well said AJ and your peony is beautiful! We all have these places in our gardens, I know I do, some are neat and some we just can’t get too.
I love reading your insite on life. Makes you think about things that you have forgotten or should be thinking about.
I use to think my house, yard, children, etc. had to be perfect. Then as I got older, I begin to think about how all this is not important. Life, feelings and spending time with others is what it is all about. No matter how hard I tried, I could not obtain that perfection.
Now I just enjoy life as each day brings it to me. Some good, and some painful, but at another day in my life.
Thank you Audrey Jeanne.
Hugs, Betty
AJ this is very encouraging to me. Like you said, we are bombarded with images of perfection and it tends to make me see all of my short comings. You know, I do think I’m going to have some flowers this summer. It may just be a container or two, but it’ll be a start. Thanks for your honesty, it’s so refreshing!
I have Peonys in my garden also, thanks for sharing the picture of yours. Next week My girlfriend and I are going to a Peony garden where they sell all sorts of colors. I can hardly wait to go to it as I have never been there before. (Oh Lora! Take me with you!!! I never could grow Peonies until I moved to the mountains because it didn’t get cold enough. I adore this one and there are 5 buds already this year. I’ll be painting them for sure. AJ)
My peonies are ready to pop any day now and I can’t wait. They are surrounded by weeds but they still are ready to bloom. I planted them years ago but can’t care for them now like I should. DH and his illnesses come first. Weeds and dirt second or 25th whatever the day may bring.
Thanks so much for sharing this side of AJ. (People ALWAYS out rank tasks. Take good care of DH he’s the most important thing! AJ)
Your imperfect garden looks excellent. I couldn’t see what was wrong. It is like looking in the Sunday paper when you have the two pictures side by side and you have to find the things “wrong.” I have come to realize that I just can’t do it all and certainly it cannot be done perfectly. I try to keep up with the laundry, cleaning, cooking, tending to the kids, and myself and it just seems impossible to do so somthing has to give. I try not to make myself crazy. Thank you for reminding me that it is ok to not be perfect.
I guess this is like having to “choose your own battles”!