Inspiration | Dr Nikki

Cultivating Your Inner Garden- Preparing the Soil

By Dr Nikki Judge

After the gardener has tilled their garden they still are not quite ready to start the planting. Final preparations of the soil are needed. Many gardeners spread compost over the garden prior to tilling. If there is old growth it needs to be pulled and thrown into the compost pile so that the breaking down of materials in the compost pile will help to feed the soil when this working compost is tilled into the garden next year. This way the gardener knows that nutrients are being returned to the soil in a way that enables the plants to grow healthy and strong.

Composting The Old: The compost pile – yes – that pile of odoriferous sometimes steamy stuff in the back of grandma’s garden – has a spiritual connection as well. Just as the compost pile has an important part in the garden, we have our compost in our Spiritual Garden of the Soul. A compost pile stinks frankly because things are rotting, what was once living is now dead and breaking down. But it is from the nutrients created in that breaking down and rotting that helps create the fertile environment of the gardener’s soil.

The negativity we encounter during a day, our fears, our doubts, and more are so much compost in our lives. Just as what is thrown into the compost pile ends up serving a valuable service for the healthy garden, we must properly learn to deal with the compost of our lives. We all have a Spiritual Compost Pile! It’s where we keep all those fears, doubts, and loneliness; our failures and unrealized but broken dreams. These create our spiritual compost pile.

Reviewing Your Past Results: Just as the farmer has to turn the compost and stir up the various peelings, rotting veggies, half eaten fruit (and other things that can no longer be identified) to have the compost ready for the garden, we need to review our successes. Yes – it’s always fun to review what comes out right and it is a great way to get successful results again; however, we can also learn much, if not more, through our mistakes and missteps. Looking over them is important. But getting stuck and dwelling on those issues- maybe not so much!

There is a big difference between dwelling on a mistake and looking at it to see where the lesson is. It is much easier to remove the negativity that is brought into our Garden of the Soul with doubts and fears. While some doubts and fears are normal the problems arise if we hold on to them too long. Much like the gardener who isn’t mindful of how big the compost pile is getting, our Garden of the Soul can become overrun with negative thoughts, doubts and fears, inadequacies and, a feeling of disconnect from the human race (others) and our faith.

Making Room for the New: The good gardener keeps a sharp eye on the compost pile. Even the pleasant distraction of a visit from family for a few days can mean totally altered compost pile once you return to your gardening duties. Adjustments must be made and some of the kitchen veggie scraps may need to be withheld for a time so that the new matter doesn’t overrun the pile and change its chemistry. With a judicious eye the gardener watches the compost pile to make sure it doesn’t outgrow its appointed space; that its chemistry is kept to the right Ph level; adding other components such as dirt; making sure that that the right things are kept for the compost bucket, and that the trash is thrown out as it should be.

In our Garden of the Soul we need to make sure we are good gardeners as well! Once we have looked at an issue or problem we have experienced it is time to forgive ourselves the mistake (if there is one), take the lesson, incorporate it as we go forward and, most importantly, gently let go of any additional negativity the event has brought us.

Just as the gardener has to be judicious about what is kept for compost and what is thrown in the trash, we have to be as well. In order to truly be able to release that part of the experience which no longer serves us we have to know what part from the experience does serve us. By an honest review and judicious reflection we are able to discern which is which. Once that is done we can release our limitations and grasp our future with both hands.

Join us next week as we move into every gardener’s favorite season- planting!

Cultivating Your Inner Garden- Aerating the Soil

in Inspiration/by Dr Nikki

By Dr. Nikki Judge

You see the serious gardener every spring tilling the soil for their garden. Tilling the soil breaks it up, softens it so that roots can grow strong and create a good feeding system for the plant, allow for proper hydration of the plant, and create the best environment possible for the plants to grow strong and bountiful.

By tilling the soil the gardener ensures that the seeds or plants will have the best chance to take root and grow. We need to pay the same attention to the Garden of our Soul. Our soul inhabits our bodies… so it is important to take care of our bodies so that we can enjoy the benefits of our soul’s connection to it.

Exercise: You don’t have to run a marathon or climb Mount Everest! Exercise is important to all of us but you need not join a gym or buy fancy equipment. You can exercise in a relatively small space. Current indicators are that in order to maintain a healthy body we need to walk the equivalent of five miles a day. Five miles works out to be just about 10,000 steps for the average person. Whether you do chair exercises due to limited mobility or you are prepping to run a marathon or climb mountains exercise is key to helping connect our ethereal self with our outer self. Regular exercise helps to improve breathing and release endorphins. Many people use time exercising to look within, think about issues or problems, or plan fun times ahead.

Yoga: An ancient form combining exercise, breathing, and meditation to help create a clear mind and strong, healthy body to contain the soul. With traditions dating back to its roots over 5,000 years there are different types of Yoga but they all focus on the essential point of keeping the body, mind and spirit connected in a positive and health promoting way. Yoga’s ancient forms and movements were designed over millennia to help encourage a strong connection. Yoga itself is not a religion but a tradition passed down from teacher to student through practical demonstration. For those who chose to share their workout with others Yoga is a great consideration as you will be with others who are trying to raise their spiritual awareness and connection as well.

Dance: Dancing is a great way to exercise! Whether you perform the regulated steps of a Tango or indulge yourself in boogying down to your favorite song moving to the rhythm is an awesome way to connect. It is easy to lose yourself in the tempo of the music, thoughts floating on the music while your body sways and moves to the inner voice. When you lose yourself in that way you are in a meditative state… the repetitive movements help induce a deeper connection, the music seems to connect directly to the brain and you float on the music… another form of connecting to your inner self – your soul self.

Move! We are spiritual beings experiencing a human existence. By moving…walking, working out, swimming, playing, dancing, or practicing yoga – moving for us is essentially doing the same thing that tilling the soil does for the gardener. By knowing our bodies and keeping them healthy as possible through exercise of whatever type we are strengthening our connection to our inner self. You don’t have to climb mountains, swim the English Channel or spelunk down into the deepest of caves – unless you want to.

It only takes 30 days to instill a habit – good or bad. Start today! Whatever your shape – it’s the shape you are in…and only you can change that….for good or ill. Join a Tai Chi class, start a walking group or walk with others that you know. Take the time to get to know your body … get up and make it move! The healthier the outer body, the healthier and stronger your connection can be. Like the gardener wanting to prepare the soil so that the roots can grow deep and strong the spiritual gardener must “aerate” (exercise) their “soil” (body) to strengthen the connection with the soul.

Please join us next week where we discuss final preparations before it’s planting time for your Spiritual Garden of the Soul!

Cultivating the Garden of Your Soul- Your Goals, Dreams, and Needs

in Inspiration/by Dr Nikki

Knowing What You Need

On many farms much time is spent determining what the best crop to grow that year is going to be. Researching on weather projections, expected rainfall, cloudy days, and sunny days are all important for crop success. By knowing the soil, the climate and the crop the farmer has a better chance of success for his crop. In your virtual garden of the soul it is time to look at your needs. This may be challenging for many because it means admitting we have those needs – which some feel is a weakness.
Needs are the things you cannot live without. You need water. You need shelter. You need food. Those are the needs of your physical body. We also need interaction with others. We are a social species. As the phrase goes “No man (or woman) is an island.” Whether we want to accept it or not we are not only a human, but we are also all a part of humanity… each in our own way. So, like it or not, we NEED interaction and fellowship in some way. Just as the gardener or farmer does much better with conducting their research, we must look into ourselves to find what NEEDS we have to take care of.

Dreams and Goals

The gardener dreams of having a bountiful harvest. However, the dream cannot be met without making sure that there is fertile soil for the plants to take root. If the farmer does not do his research and plants the wrong crop his dreams won’t come true. No matter how many times the garden patch is watered the home gardener is not going to enjoy the harvest of their dreams unless they put the right plants in the right places. The gardener dreams of the harvest and sets the goals that will create that reality.

: (c) MrPanyGoff

In our garden of the soul it is important to know the difference between a goal and a dream. Think of the dream as the bountiful harvest. In our soul’s garden we may dream of happiness or having a deeper connection with our higher power or even a rich life filled with family and friends. However, if you don’t do the work to create those connections…to lay a fertile soil for your dream to take root…the dreams get lost. Both the hobbyist and the professional spend time figuring potential yields (their dream). However, it is a long time between the planting of the seed to the dream of a bountiful harvest.

So the gardener or farmer does their research and finds the perfect plants for their garden and field conditions. They decide not only what to plant (goal 1), but when to plant (goal 2), how much to plant (goal 3), when to transplant (goal 4), when to till the soil (goal 5), when to fertilize (goal 6), an appropriate watering schedule (goal 7), and, finally, a schedule of the expected harvest (goal 7 and DREAM REALIZATION).

If you want to enjoy the bountiful harvest for your soul you have to be a good farmer and make a plan. Whatever the harvest (Dream) you want to create – you can do so if, like the gardener, you take the time to make the right choices to facilitate your harvest. Set the goals that take you in the direction of your dreams!

Ways to Participate in the Cultivate the Garden of Your Soul Series:

*Visit Love Dr Nikki on Oranum.com for thoughtful conversations and classes.
*Follow Love Dr Nikki on FaceBook and enjoy uplifting essays, beautiful images, and inspiring quotes.
*Check back with this blog weekly for updates.

Cultivating the Garden of Your Soul- Deciding What to Plant

in Inspiration/by Dr Nikki

Any Garden Takes Planning

A garden does take planning – more than we sometimes give credence to. A good gardener knows where to plant each vegetable strain they are planting. Many draw out their gardens over the winter measuring to scale where they are going to put what. Seed packets, books and internet articles are searched to find the best information on how to get the most out of your garden. It helps to know what you are planting when you have to do this type of planning.

Looking At the Condition of Your Soil – Reviewing Past Successes and Failures

In the physical world this is where a lot of hobbyist gardeners try to remember what did well last year. Did the broccoli go to flower before it got big enough to harvest? What was it that got to the beans last year? Whatever it was it must have eaten well! Did the deer fence work? Would it have worked better if it had been put up earlier? Do the perennials look like they are going to make it? Maybe it would be a better idea to move the corn to the other end of the garden this year? These are just a very small example of the questions a gardener can face in their planning phase.

In our virtual garden of the soul we have to do the same. This is a very difficult task for some while for others is it a simple exercise. What do you have to look at when you are reviewing for the garden of your soul? For each person it will be different, but essentially your quest is the same as the gardener. You have to look at your past which is sometimes an uncomfortable thing to do.

The process one needs to undergo, however one chooses to do so, is to do what is sometimes referred to as “playing onion.” This is where you take the time to peel back the layers of your personality and self, layer by layer, and being brutally honest with yourself about what has been working for you and what hasn’t. Remember, lying to yourself here is the ultimate in self-destruction and sure to kill your dreams before you start them.

However, completely redesigning isn’t necessary, but reviewing your past to look at your successes and your failures allows you the opportunity to prevent making the same kinds of mistakes in the future. The serious gardener tests the soil every year to make sure that the appropriate nutrients are available in the soil. In the inner garden of your soul you want to make sure that the past is reviewed so that you know how to prevent yourself from making the same mistakes again – thus allowing a “fertile” soil for you to plant your dreams in.

Plot Your Garden Space:

When you are growing your own food square footage is extremely important. You want to maximize the space that you have to get the best results possible. There are strings aplenty all over the northern hemisphere, busy helping gardeners plot out flower and vegetable gardens. By allowing the right amount of space for each plant the gardener’s yield is maximized.

In our virtual garden it is important to clear away that which does not work so that we can focus on what does work. By being honest with yourself about the condition you are in, you can then dig in with confidence and till the soil in your garden of the soul. By releasing fears and doubts we can enrich the soil of our Inner Garden and create a better garden plot. As we forgive ourselves we create room in our garden plot for our next phase: Goals, Dreams, and Needs!

Ways to Join In:

*Visit Love Dr Nikki on Oranum.com for thoughtful conversations and classes.
*Follow Love Dr Nikki on FaceBook and enjoy uplifting essays, beautiful images, and inspiring quotes.
*Check back with this blog weekly for updates.

Starry Saturdays

in Inspiration, Nature/by Dr Nikki

Hello hello hello!!

Well, this week I was going to comment about the stars we can see out our window at night. However, there’s been a problem seeing the stars out our window at night because we’ve been covered with clouds for most of the past week. While the plants are digging the damp cool weather, personally I could do with some good old sunshine.

So..if I can’t have it, I guess I’ll just talk about…sunshine. Bright, strong, steady, warm you up sunshine. Yes indeedy do, that’s exactly what we need. A good shot of sunshine to make us all a little happier.

Remember – look up! to see things of wonder!

Kitchen Table Thursdays – Mom’s Pearl

in country, honor, Inspiration/by Dr Nikki

The World Is Your Oyster – Go Find Yourself A Pearl.

This was one of Mom’s favorite sayings. I don’t think I figured out what that meant until I was a teenager. Then I didn’t want oysters and pearls and allegories or metaphors. Like most teens, I wanted experience and to live my life by my own rules!

Now that I’ve had the opportunity to have that experience I have to thank Mom for cementing that phrase into my mind. It’s actually an important one that carries a lot of meaning for me. However, the deepest meaning for me is that YOU have to go find YOUR pearl – it isn’t going to just fall in your lap nice and easy.

There’s a personal responsibility for providing for one’s own happiness or financial state in there – plain and simple. We weren’t raised to expect things to be easy or given to us, we were raised that life was hard and you got out of it what you put in to it.

Another meaning is to remember to stop and smell the roses (look for the pearls) along the way. Whether it is taking a moment to watch a child at play, watching the clouds drift across a powder blue sky, or watching a spider spin her web, take time to connect with that which is within you, for in doing that you achieve the higher part of yourself.

Don’t forget the connection between pearls and wisdom either! In many of the ancient traditions the pearl is the font of wisdom. The Celts hold the pearl high in their symbolism. Animals depicted with a pearl were said to be wise. “Pearls of wisdom!” Sometimes Mom was intentionally sending me out there, knowing I would fail! She wanted me to know that I can fail and still keep going. She wanted me to understand that just because one thing didn’t work the way it was supposed to, that didn’t mean I got to throw out the whole project and quit. She wanted me to garner the wisdom that application of effort over time normally pays off to your advantage.

Now pearls are a motivation for me. Pearls remind me of Mom and the strength of character with which she lived her life. Pearls are a connection. Pearls are a reminder. What’s your pearl?

Wyrd and Wonderful Wednesday

in Inspiration, Omens/by Dr Nikki

Instant Karma.

A couple of years ago my husband and I were trapped on a plane behind one of those two year olds. She was bouncing all over the seats, standing and looking over the back of the seat and doing raspberries at us in the seat behind her. It was so bad that several of the other passengers complained. The stewardesses did what they could – they took Dad in the back and asked him to move forward and help control the child.

The flight continued with this little girl getting anything and everything she wanted, she didn’t even have to ask, all she had to do was point and grunt. Fruit juice, soda, milk, candy, candy, candy candy candy…. sweets, water, soda, candy candy candy!

Frustrated, several of us seated around this charming (and I do use that term loosely here) couple and their child started asking them directly to control the monster (who was actually quite cute and sweet looking – oval face, hair in Punky Brewster pigtails with pink bows, black velvet dress with white pintucked bib, white tights and little patent leather shoes.) The Dad’s response was a snarly and sarcastic “she’s only 2, what do you recommend I do?” Let’s just say he could not be convinced of the reality that he was 6’5″ and his tyrant of a child was maybe all of 35 pounds total.

Well, child was allowed to continue in her tyrannical ways. She pulled her mother’s hair so the Dad pulled out her little dvd player that only kept her entertained for a matter of two or three minutes because it only had one cartoon – which she obviously knew by heart because she sang it at the top of her lungs with lots of conviction!

You wondering just where Karma is in all this yet? Can you guess?

Throwing her DVD player at Dad the little heathen slapped (and I mean SLAPPED) her Mom and demanded another cookie. Mom started to refuse, but before she could guard against it the brat grabbed the cookies and gobbled them down without a breath – literally! Then she stood up on the seat and started slam dropping herself onto the seat. On the third go round of this activity, just as she was getting ready to again test the resilience of her seat cushion, PROJECTILE vomiting…all over both her parients.

The stewardesses were quick to be passing out coffee packets to ensure that the rest of the passengers around the area were kept as comfortable as possible. It was actually quite some time before there was anyone available to assist the parents!

Many a secret smile was shared among us passengers when from a few seats behind we hear someone say “thank you Karma!” It even received a smattering of applause.

Mom and Dad remained subdued through the remainder of the flight and the little hellion..oh, I mean little girl? Having carried on for literally two hours, after getting cleaned up, she slept the remainder of the flight curled up in Mom’s lap.

In the long run, the one I felt sorry for the most? That vicious little …oh, I mean that sweet little girl. Without being taught appropriate behaviors and being taught to expect everything she wants with no restraint, it may be more than a little difficult for her to cope in modern society. It also shows that while it may in the immediate be easier to just give in and let the child have their way, it may not be in the best interest of the child.

Majikal Monday

in Inspiration/by Dr Nikki

Happy Monday! Are you ready for another great week? I hope so.

Spring is making a valiant attempt to arrive here in northwest Montana – even if it does seem like it is a loosing battle. From the birds we are seeing and the green that is peeking out here and there – oh and the pussy willows too – we know that spring really is on its way!

Here on Majikal Mondays we’ll be talking about the the magic of life. We won’t be casting spells or writing them, we’ll be exploring the magic of life and the world around us.

One of my favorite quotes is from Pasteur “Chance favors the prepared mind.” it always reminds me that we need to remain open and prepared to see the wonder of life and the universe. We tend to get wound up in our day to day lives, taking care of kids, running errands, doing chores, caring for our loved ones. We are taking care of business and what is important.

We have to remind ourselves (prepare) that there is more to life than just the taking care of business. It doesn’t take a lot to prepare yourself to be open to the magic of life. It’s not the same for all of us.

For one it might be a slew of powder blue in the drainage ditch on the side of the road that is a patch of forget-me-nots. For someone else the magic may be in seeing a child chasing a butterfly.

For another it may be the sight of a mature big horn sheep standing on a rock. For some it might be a symphony by Mozart or a work from Haydn. The Mona Lisa, the Walking Man statue, or The Who’s rock opera – Tommy; much of what is made by man can strike the spark of magic in our hearts – for it is from that spark of magic that our greatest achievements, thoughts, and feelings come.

The appreciation of these magical moments of life is easy when one is setting out to specifically do that thing. Want an uplift on the way to work? Count how many flowers/trucks/art deco buildings or whatever on your way. By the mere fact of seeking them out, the average person will see more flowers/trucks/etc. because they are consciously prepared to do so. They are actively looking for that moment. The really great thing is that it is a positive feedback system. You are “rewarded” by looking for what brings you joy in life by seeing something that brings you joy in life – when you have *prepared* for it.

Here on Majikal Mondays we’ll be posting hints and tips on how to connect to that majik that is within all of us. We’d also love to hear what is a “majikal moment” for you!

My majikal moment today? Seeing an eagle on wing taking a short cruise and then returning to it’s nest. Or was it the tiny white flower peeking out from under the bull pine needles in the flowerbed? Or the feeling of relief walking *out* of the endodontist office knowing the work is done!

Honestly, before you know it, you are seeing majikal moments everywhere…because you have remembered to look for them…that’s all it takes.

We’d love to hear what some of your majikal moments are! We’ll be posting on Mondays with lots of things about living life “majikally” by connecting to that which brings you true joy.

Community Garden Happenings

in Citizens' Duties and Responsibilities, Inspiration/by Dr Nikki

Howdy folks!

Tuesdays we’ll be keeping everyone posted on what’s happening in our community vegetable garden. We grow way more food than any five families could eat, so we overgrow and give food away to those that are in need.

This past weekend was rather successful for the garden. Chris came by and spent the day with his two helpers. Before they left everything had been rototilled, raked, the strawberries pulled from the old bed and the new pyramid bed put in. So we are ready to plant. Tomorrow we’ll be putting down the ground plastic and if it’s not raining we’ll plot her out as well.

The starts are doing well in the back porch, getting what sun we have been getting in our chilly and wet spring. We’ll be doing more transplanting this week and some replacing as well…that way we’ll have a longer harvest period. *smile*

The potatoes, onions, garlic and blueberries are here as well. The blueberries will be potted and put out on the porch. We’ll be getting the onions, garlic and potatoes in the ground this week. We’ve got plenty of tires and two pounds of each of three different types of seed potatoes! It sure worked good last year so we’re doing the tire thing again for the taters.

Onions…only three types there. And the garlic? Well, we figured we’d give elephant garlic a try because it’s hard to find in the stores here.

Time to go get those potatoes ready for plantin’!

Starry Saturdays

in Inspiration, Nature/by Dr Nikki

Have you had the joy of looking out at the night sky from a dark area and really see the stars? Have you had the humbling experience of seeing out own Milky Way Galaxy crossing the night sky.

When I was a kid, like many in my age group, Carl Sagan, author, scientist and more – oh what a crush! We miss you Carl. You made it sexy to say “we are all star stuff.”

Star stuff is what Starry Saturdays are all about. Whether you just think the photo of the Horsehead Nebulae is just cool looking, or the act of creation in its most stupendous form, it is difficult to remain unmoved.

In my opinion NASA is the best place to go to see lots of some of the best star field photos every taken. And it’s free. Here’s one of my favorite starting point on their website:
http://www.nasa.gov/topics/universe/index.html

Yeah, it’s that “how great Thou art” thing.

Dr. Nikki