Inspiring Me Today: Watering the Seedling
Thursday, March 26, 2009 at 12:05PM 
Zinnia seedlings on the kitchen windowsill
Each of us is a seed, a silent promise, and it is always spring. ~ Merle Shain
The zinnia seeds above took 10 days to sprout. Around day 8, I was ready to throw the pot away, thinking they didn't work. But I watered them and waited.
And behold, they did take. (Yes, again, a reminder about the virtues of patience. Something I am slowly but surely learning.)
I watched an amazing documentary last night, "A Man Named Pearl," about Pearl Fryar from Bishopsville, South Carolina, who constructs an incredibly magical and artistic topiary garden in his yard. What's amazing is that he creates this without any formal training — with a lot of love, patience and determination.
“Gardening books will tell you that some of these things in my garden can’t be done, but I had never read them when I got started. Not knowing ahead of time that something is supposed to be impossible often makes it possible to achieve. I didn’t have any limitations because I really didn’t know anything about horticulture. I just figured I could do whatever I wanted with any plant I had.” — Pearl Fryar
For me his story speaks all about the necessity of determination and patience when following your dream. Fryar's creations can take five years to grow into the shape he imagines. He trims and cuts and visualizes their growing into his vision. For years at a time.
"There's always going to be obstacles. The thing is you don't let those obstacles determine where you go." — Pearl Fryar
I'm so inspired by these kinds of people. People who figure out what it is that calls them, and then follow it. No. matter. what.
It's a testament for me of where following your bliss with an open heart can lead. Of what can happen when you take the seeds that bloom in your heart and keep watering them with love and inspired action.
Tell me, what seeds of your heart are you committed to watering, even if it take years to see them take their full form?
P.S. Learn more about Pearl here. (I couldn't get his main site to pull up today.) Trailer for documentary is below; direct link here.
Reader Comments (1)
I agree on what Pearl says about not letting himself being limited by knowledge - but only for the initial stadium of pursuing a dream. If you really want to make your dreams come true I think it is a good idea to educate yourself as much as possible.
My dream? Writing a novel. I wrote a book (a travelguide) - now I want to write a novel!