It is January
The coldest month of the year
And there I was outside in 40 below
Pounding at the soil with a steel stake
Pounding with all my might
I was doing all this pounding to plant a seed
Not just any seed
A seed I just could not seem to take care of
A seed that I thought would do better here than with me
So there I was with the seed in hand
Pounding and pounding away
With every thrusting effort the ground would dent
Then dent a little more, and a little more
Finally the dent would be deep enough
To plant this seed
I placed the seed deep within in this dent
Pulled out my reused glass jar of “organic, chemical free, fare trade, water”
And poured it so ceremonially over the seed
Within seconds the water had frozen
But I smiled, said some words and walked away with all the confidence in the world
For I knew deep within that the seed had everything it needed
It was a seed that could find life in the most challenging conditions
Just not with me
And so I walked away and never looked back
Months later the snow began to melt
The ground began to thaw
The birds returned and the leaves began to bud
The garden was beginning to flower and
Soon the garden took on full life and the people noticed
All those walking, driving, running, and cycling by would stop and look
The beauty of the garden was breathtaking
People could not help but slow down and look
Slowing down and looking was happening to everyone
Looking at such beauty traveled deep into the people
This beauty began to bring peace, love and harmony
Into the minds and heart of all those who slowed down and take it in
This garden was so profound that an entire community began to transform
The people were smiling and greeting each other
People began to pick up the trash and be kind to each other
Parents began to play with their kids and read them books
Kids began to wake up on time and run to school
Or at least walk and not be late
Then one day I walked by the garden
I was in awe
Suddenly the wind was taken out of my chest and offered to the flowers
A tear formed in the corner of both my eyes and my chest pounded slow yet strong
Time began to slow down and slow down some more
Everything came to a stop
I looked around and all but the flowers were a blur
I looked out upon the flowers and asked, “Which of you did I plant?”
But none would answer
I asked again
And none would answer
I asked four times and on the fourth time I asked
“Which of you is the one I planted at a most difficult time
A time when in my hand was my heart
And you the seed was my heart
I planted you here until I was ready to return
Which of you was this seed?”
Again there was silence
Just as I accepted my fate of not knowing
A voice spoke to me and said
Your heart has always been within you
But when you planted me
You too gave life to all of us
Now I belong here with all the seeds
That have been planted by the hearts of many
And so do not worry
There is much more of me inside of you
So go plant more seeds
No matter how hard it may be
No matter what season it is
When you plant a seed from the heart
Beauty will flower and all people will smile
Jerry wrote this for the Spring Equinox which was celebrated last week on March 20, 2008 in ceremony with Danza Mexica Cuauhtemoc...
