“There is not a single blade of grass that has not its own star in heaven that strikes it and says “GROW!”

-Genesis Rabbah

Growth is natural. It’s what living things do. It simply happens  whenever the conditions for growth are present, which is most of the time in most places on Earth.

We can think of ourselves as the gardeners of our lives, not task masters, shouting “Grow, dammit!” at ourselves; or judges, critiquing: “You’d be further along if you weren’t such a dope.” We all grow at our own pace, depending on genetics and circumstances, nature and nurture. What’s the main role of the gardener? Simply to tend to that which limits growth, such as shade, poor soil, drought, and and provide that which fosters it, such as water, nutrients, sunlight.

We can use this wisdom in our own lives, removing the poor soils of harsh judgement of ourselves, the drought of lousy self care, the shade of shame. We can provide ourselves with rich soils of people who love and respect us, the water of blessing from self and others, the nourishment of investing in our own well being. When that’s done, healthy growth is inevitable. In fact it’s the Way of the World.

What do you need to tend in your “garden” to grow deeper and higher today?

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Genesis Rabba  is a religious text from Judaism’s classical period, probably 4th or 5th  century C.E. It is a midrash comprising a collection of ancient rabbinical homiletical interpretations of the Book of Genesis.

Joe Laur is a father, husband, naturalist, executive consultant, and a lowly rabbinic student. He can be reached at joe.laur@godsdog.net.