Lessons From The Berry Patch
Here's hoping...
I’ve never been described as an optimist. I’m not a pessimist either. I do feel rather cynical about our world these days, the politics that divide us, the seeds of hatred tossed carelessly like live grenades in crowded streets. There is little reason to have hope, is there? And yet, I find examples of hope everywhere. I guess that’s what keeps me writing, breathing, believing.
Many of those examples are in the stories I share here on Glimmers From The Edge – people making a difference in the lives of others, one idea or action at a time. I also find hope in the natural world. A word of warning though: once you see hope, even a glimpse, you won’t be able to un-see it or look away. The world will change, and you will start to seek out more and more examples as you go through your day. Hope can be very addicting indeed. Don’t say I didn’t warn you!
The Merriam-Webster Dictionary defines hope as an action:
to cherish a desire with anticipation
to expect with confidence
Yes, hope means looking ahead to something that hasn’t happened yet, and being fully invested in the idea that it will. That’s not just a fleeting bit of whimsy, is it? Nor a wishy-washy shoulder shrug with a quiet whisper, “Well, I was kinda sorta wishing...”
No, this kind of hope is a here-it-comes-get-out-of-the-way attitude.
I found the perfect example of this type of hope in my garden today. Keep in mind, it’s late November here, the temperatures hover around freezing at night and don’t warm up that much during the day, we have had frost, there is snow in the mountains and...
...my strawberry plants are not just blooming, they have set fruit. Against all odds. In defiance of grey skies and impending winter, these plants are confident there is still time to bear more fruit. If that’s not hope in action, I don’t know what is.
These bold berries have become a touchstone for me, reminding me to expect better days ahead no matter the grim predictions or chaotic times. Nature keeps showing up, doing her thing, making the most of what is available, and demonstrating what it means to thrive. Under any conditions.
We can do no less.