Planting a green housemate – exciting, novel company within our roof!

        When asked about living and non-living things in school, we all were taught to answer, “Plants, animals, humans are living in nature”. While this statement was to be accepted as an answer, classification of plants under the category of ‘living’ always appeared unusual. 

      

       With no hands, legs, eyes, ears, nose or skin, accepting trees as one among us was extremely difficult to digest. Though we love them for their green shade, soothing warmth, freshness of leaves and beauty of flowers, I never imagined to be able to visualize this life in them.

         It is only after me and my husband welcomed a very first plant within the roof of our house, when a wonderful feeling entered our lives. A feeling that introduced us to the life embedded within its roots, a feeling that showed us the magic within its leaves, a feeling that made us realize strength within its soil, we experienced the entry of a new house-mate! While till date, I always wondered about the joy of gardening, presence of one single plant changed it all.Amazed by how people experienced happiness with hands in soil and mind in its nurturing, my gardening experience in childhood was only limited to the job of watering; owing to forceful instructions from parents!

     Though a student of Horticulture, I could never contemplate my mother’s happiness on seeing roses bloomed to her plant or father’s excitement to feed with them fertilizers. Filled with energy as if they played with little kids, I always struggled to experience the same kind of joy with these potted green mates.

     Not sure if I could ever understand this form of life, my husband’s enthusiasm to nurture a plant provided a much needed opportunity. As we brought his favorite lemon grass plant and began preparations for its stay, the entire experience resembled the arrival of a housemate! Shopping for pot, soil, fertilizer and planning for its watering schedule, we were filled with unusual energy and experience.Displaying my horticultural knowledge, as I won my husband’s confidence to take care of our new roomie, I experienced the joy of being an in-charge. As a new friend entered into our lives, I was amazed at the power of its love. Blessing us with its company, I saw myself appreciating its presence. 

   Though we have been enjoying the company of this green housemate from a very short while, it inspired me to pen down some interesting aspects of these green friends.

Ø Silent motivators: As quiet spectators that offer us their presence, plants are the best silent motivators. With their fresh energy and beautiful existence, they inspire us to continue our efforts with magnified strength and amplified vigor.

Ø     Selfless beliefs: Trees and plants inspire us to live for others. With no agenda for themselves, plants introduce us to their selfless beliefs. Providing every part for the benefit of others, their life equips us with many lessons for the future.

Ø    Modest needs, simple living: While plants never communicate with us in the form of speech, their life demonstrates modest and simple practices. Adapting themselves to the surrounding conditions, they inspire us to be flexible in life. Survival in any given condition is an important lesson to be learnt from these green teachers.

Ø    Radiating joy, spreading energy: One single look at these plants in the morning can fill our life with joy. Capable of transmitting energy within our system, their freshness can wish us with wonderful moments ahead.

Ø    Punctual schedule, timely conduct: With schedule in line with the rising and setting sun, plants seem to have a fantastic body clock! Rising with morning greenery, shining with afternoon sun and resting with evening darkness, they move along with the rest of nature.

Ø    Essential and beneficial company: With need for industries, thirst for development and love for materials, our efforts are being directed towards destruction of this green cover. While we march towards their elimination, while ignoring their significance, we may find ourselves alone on a barren land. Their presence is very essential for our planet as our mother earth relies on perfect coordination and balance between all life forms.

So while, this new member in our house has filled our lives with exciting experiences and amazing lessons, it has brought me closer to the life within plants. Though it may not be able to acknowledge our happiness with a nod or greet us with a smile, its thin swaying leaves seem to convey a lot!