At first, I didn't understand or... let's say I didn't want to understand why my mom did the things she did. How those little things seem to bring a smile to her face. Gardening, arranging and rearranging, and whatnot! It was always stressful in my eyes when I found her doing them, but I had no problem with that, but with something else.
Participating!
I didn't understand why she would ask me to plant something, weed out something, and to water the plants. "Why are we disturbing ourselves when there are people selling these things?"* I would ask silently, and then I had one answer always pop up, "Stinginess". Lol, I thought my mom was stingy when it came to planting the food we eat because we could have easily accessed them at the market. "Don't she want those people to survive?" I'd question as silently as I can when I am called upon to cut the grass and do those strenuous activities. But then, I'd sigh and get on with working.
And then, it came with clothes. She always gave them out and urged us to do the same, but I didn't understand why I had to give out my favorite clothes. I mean, there are mine, right? Or is it because she got them for me, I'd say with a frown.
But, what I didn't know then was that there was indeed a beauty in gardening, giving out and living in simplicity. I always find them boring and very hectic! However, I got to understand when I first gave out a dress of mine and saw the look of happiness on the person's face. For some unknown reason, that person's smile melted my heart, and I wanted to give out more, shoes, sandals, and more. I derived strange heartwarming happiness from them. It was beautiful and unexplainable.
And when it comes to planting what I eat, gosh! I couldn't help smiling from ear to ear when the beans I planted grew up healthy because I added enough cow dung to it and watered it daily as my mom had instructed. I felt like a proud mother who was asked to make a speech at her daughter/son's wedding when it germinated well and was ready for harvest.
Embracing nature, finding peace and silence more enticing are the things I got to enjoy after practicing minimalism. My life before as a kid now seemed to be a hectic one as I found joy in cleaning, giving out, and cooking what I eat.
I wished I knew and felt all these feelings before because hell! It sure is therapeutic listening to the waves of the sea and watching how the trees dance in perfect sync like there's music before them, and I am sure there is, nature's fine tune.
Images used are mine and video from #YouTube.
Still yours truly,
Balikis.
Thanks for reading and listening.
Peace be unto those who crave it and more to those who chase it away.
