Asian Journal- The Filipino-American Community Newspaper

The delightful tongue-in-cheek quote is a humorous dig at the tedious nature of gardening. But spring is here and the earth beckons. Despite recent dramatic weather changes and what geologists claim is a slight change in the tilt of the earth’s axis caused by a series of strong earthquakes and volcanic eruptions, the gardener at heart, remains unfazed.

It must come from the zen-like peace one gets when one gardens, even if it is simply tending a single potted plant on an office desk. Doing what must be done in the garden is his small way of keeping the delicate balance of nature in his own sphere of influence. In many ways, gardening is like praying. It keeps fears and anxieties at bay and keeps one centered in the belief that all things in the cosmos work together for good. It was Lao Tzu in 6 BC who observed, "Nature does not hurry but everything is accomplished."

A friend, Fely, impulsively, graciously gave me a succulent plant. She has passed on but I still remember her every time I reproduce cuttings from her gift to give away to others who are just as amazed that despite neglect, the plant, with its stalwart nature, continues to thrive.

I am a reluctant gardener. I was thrust into it by circumstances since I have a thing about not wanting anything dying on my shift. I had to seek books and advice despite the frenetic schedule of a workaday world and the multiple roles a woman has to juggle. Nothing I did seemed right at the time. I tended to overwater not knowing about the dangers of root rot. Very few plants like to have wet feet. Plants died on me the same way Jerry Seinfeld’s plants tend to commit suicide on his watch. My track record at growing things was dismal, yet I have often wondered what it would be like to watch something grow. I marveled at my mother’s green thumb. She can stick a seemingly lifeless stump at a clump of earth and grow a new beautiful plant nearly every time. I wasn’t one to give up easily though. Tenaciously, doggedly I hung on to an image of me as a confident gardener. My education on the art and science of growing things had begun. I took baby steps and stumbled countless times and still do. I became quieter within as I began to observe and seek to understand the process of growth, the seasons and the cycle of life. I read voraciously volumes upon volumes about plants and watched public television that featured gardening. Nurseries and gardens have become my favorite haunts where I could ask those who knew better. I boned up on my rusty, halting Spanish quizzing the gardener as best I could. Finally, I slammed on the brakes fearing I had become boringly, compulsively obsessive. But I found that unless I got down on the ground myself, nothing happened.

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Nota Bene: Monette Adeva Maglaya is SVP of Asian Journal Publications, Inc. Read her book, "The Complete Success Guide for the Immigrant Life: How to Survive, How to Thrive, How to be Fully Alive." She also edited its companion book of quotations. Your local public library might have these books available or you can request your librarian to purchase copies. These are also available at amazon.com or immigrantsuccess.com Past articles are on the internet at www.asianjournal.com To ask questions, send feedback and requests, e-mail This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it