I am sure most of us have heard this phrase once or twice in our lifetime! Around our house, the dinner conversation has been taken over lately with talk of what our oldest, Isaac should consider studying as he enters college next year - and decides what " he wants to be" when he grows up.
I keep reminding Isaac to think of the things he has shown an interest in over the years - from the fascination he had from age 2 - 6 of catching and dismembering bugs. About 7, he started drawing detailed pencil sketches of the bugs [while they were still in tact] and lately, it has been a fascination with the art of legal arguing [I mean Mock Trial] in high school. I also remind him of the classes that have come easy to him - the stuff that you can just do without even really thinking about it. Come on, an A in AP Biology. That has to come from some natural talent!
I believe, with everything in me, if we really are interested in the stuff we do, we will not only stick with it, it will be a good thing for us! Take my professional life for example. In my early years, 18-27, I worked solely for the paycheck. Didn't really give much mind to what I did, as long as money was coming in. About age 28, that norm just didn't work for me - no matter how I tried. So, after an unsuccessful attempt at being a postal worker [my hats are off to all women who do well in this institution], I went to school and licensed in massage therapy.
I know, there is a bit jump from the postal worker to massage therapist. The string that tied it together was that in order for me to survive the stress of being in a job environment that was so out of my nature, I started using aromatherapy. My interest in aromatherapy lead me to license in touch therapy [massage] which lead me to study therapeutic nutrition and herbal medicine. For the next several years, I have studied various methods to help improve health and reduce stress including; yoga, breath work, and horticulture as therapy. Along the way, I founded an educational non-profit organization , the Redlands Aromatherapy Foundation, with a goal of empowering individuals to connect with green spaces, therapeutic gardens, holistic living in order to help improve their health and well-being.
Yes, this all looked good. And it was for awhile. But the funny thing was, along the way, I was no longer having fun. I was not loving what I was doing. Even though I was staying in the same ballpark career wise, I had misidentified what it really was about this journey I really loved. For years, I thought I loved helping people feel better and take charge of their own well-being using natural methods. The truth was, it was nature itself that I loved most.
For me, there is no better thing in life than the peace and well being I feel when I directly connect with nature! I love getting my hands in the dirt, spending the entire day outdoors in the sunlight and working in my garden. I love going outside to pick fresh herbs for my red pasta sauce and fresh sorrel and chard for the rosemary chicken soup! I love taking clippings from my "mother plants" to come back weeks later and see to see how many new plants I have. ,
I realize now, that every step I have been taking over the past 20 years has been leading me to what is now called Rolling Hills Herbs & Annuals. And while I no longer provide people with the service of a lavender, clary sage and chamomile based reflexology or massage therapy session, I am still honoring my passion of helping others feel better - now the experience comes through the plants our nursery provides.
I know that when you plant these plants, you will smell their transporting fragrance. I know you will be outside getting fresh air, exercise and sunlight [some of the most important tools we have in experiencing greater health and well-being]. I know that like me, your mind will quiet for a bit as you listen to the sounds of nature as you send time in your garden. I know that you will feel the amazing sense that all is well as you soak in a hot bath, full of the fresh, fragrant, heavenly herbs and flowers you have grown.
I know that when you plant a vegetable garden rich in variety, you will eat more nutritiously. I know that when you grow your own food, you will be more inclined to eat more fresh fruits and veggies. I know that instead of trying to get your nutrition in a pill, you will be taking it in the way nature intended. I also know that when we grown ups embrace a healthy lifestyle, we teach our children [and even their friends] a healthy alternative to the lifestyle so common these days! Life is really better in so many ways!
So, while you are enjoying your days filled with all the gifts of nature, know that I will be enjoying my bliss filled work days spent sowing more heirloom seeds, rooting more cuttings, soaking up the sun and listening to the sounds of the birds! I am deeply thankful to be at a place in my life where I am truly doing what I love and loving what I do!
Last but not least - thank you to our very 1st blog follower - you have made this day so more beautiful!
Enjoy the day!
Carrie-Anne
Grower, Rolling Hills Herbs & Annuals
http://www.rollinghillsherbs.com/
I keep reminding Isaac to think of the things he has shown an interest in over the years - from the fascination he had from age 2 - 6 of catching and dismembering bugs. About 7, he started drawing detailed pencil sketches of the bugs [while they were still in tact] and lately, it has been a fascination with the art of legal arguing [I mean Mock Trial] in high school. I also remind him of the classes that have come easy to him - the stuff that you can just do without even really thinking about it. Come on, an A in AP Biology. That has to come from some natural talent!
I believe, with everything in me, if we really are interested in the stuff we do, we will not only stick with it, it will be a good thing for us! Take my professional life for example. In my early years, 18-27, I worked solely for the paycheck. Didn't really give much mind to what I did, as long as money was coming in. About age 28, that norm just didn't work for me - no matter how I tried. So, after an unsuccessful attempt at being a postal worker [my hats are off to all women who do well in this institution], I went to school and licensed in massage therapy.
I know, there is a bit jump from the postal worker to massage therapist. The string that tied it together was that in order for me to survive the stress of being in a job environment that was so out of my nature, I started using aromatherapy. My interest in aromatherapy lead me to license in touch therapy [massage] which lead me to study therapeutic nutrition and herbal medicine. For the next several years, I have studied various methods to help improve health and reduce stress including; yoga, breath work, and horticulture as therapy. Along the way, I founded an educational non-profit organization , the Redlands Aromatherapy Foundation, with a goal of empowering individuals to connect with green spaces, therapeutic gardens, holistic living in order to help improve their health and well-being.
Yes, this all looked good. And it was for awhile. But the funny thing was, along the way, I was no longer having fun. I was not loving what I was doing. Even though I was staying in the same ballpark career wise, I had misidentified what it really was about this journey I really loved. For years, I thought I loved helping people feel better and take charge of their own well-being using natural methods. The truth was, it was nature itself that I loved most.
For me, there is no better thing in life than the peace and well being I feel when I directly connect with nature! I love getting my hands in the dirt, spending the entire day outdoors in the sunlight and working in my garden. I love going outside to pick fresh herbs for my red pasta sauce and fresh sorrel and chard for the rosemary chicken soup! I love taking clippings from my "mother plants" to come back weeks later and see to see how many new plants I have. ,
I realize now, that every step I have been taking over the past 20 years has been leading me to what is now called Rolling Hills Herbs & Annuals. And while I no longer provide people with the service of a lavender, clary sage and chamomile based reflexology or massage therapy session, I am still honoring my passion of helping others feel better - now the experience comes through the plants our nursery provides.
I know that when you plant these plants, you will smell their transporting fragrance. I know you will be outside getting fresh air, exercise and sunlight [some of the most important tools we have in experiencing greater health and well-being]. I know that like me, your mind will quiet for a bit as you listen to the sounds of nature as you send time in your garden. I know that you will feel the amazing sense that all is well as you soak in a hot bath, full of the fresh, fragrant, heavenly herbs and flowers you have grown.
I know that when you plant a vegetable garden rich in variety, you will eat more nutritiously. I know that when you grow your own food, you will be more inclined to eat more fresh fruits and veggies. I know that instead of trying to get your nutrition in a pill, you will be taking it in the way nature intended. I also know that when we grown ups embrace a healthy lifestyle, we teach our children [and even their friends] a healthy alternative to the lifestyle so common these days! Life is really better in so many ways!
So, while you are enjoying your days filled with all the gifts of nature, know that I will be enjoying my bliss filled work days spent sowing more heirloom seeds, rooting more cuttings, soaking up the sun and listening to the sounds of the birds! I am deeply thankful to be at a place in my life where I am truly doing what I love and loving what I do!
Last but not least - thank you to our very 1st blog follower - you have made this day so more beautiful!
Enjoy the day!
Carrie-Anne
Grower, Rolling Hills Herbs & Annuals
http://www.rollinghillsherbs.com/
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