I am not coaching on withdrawal per se, I am however helping others create their own healing garden.
You can find out more about my garden at InnovaGardens.com
I’ll also share about it’s role in my recovery on the radio show being broadcast from Boston. (See the previous post)
I’ve had a few inquiries about healing in a garden setting (and through gardening) so I thought I would address it here.
It’s not too late to get some fabulous flowers in the ground. Their colors will warm your heart. The birds, bees and butterflies will keep you company. Watching the new plants grow and bloom mark the (often very slow) passing of time as you heal.
I look forward every day to the new surprise that awaits me in the garden. This morning it was six new poppies blooming on a plant that had zero blooms just yesterday.
I enjoy the company of neighbors who come by to drop their jaws at the beauty in my yard (and it’s not me! lol)
I have a poetry board that I write on every morning. A new heart warming statement to pass on some cheer, love or to simply get people to think. I can’t tell you how many passerby’s thank me for it.
On the days I thought I couldn’t hold on another day, I plunked my ass into a chair in my garden and sat. For hours. Until I knew I was safe enough to get up. I am now surrounded and held by a neighborhood that has come together over my garden.
The old blind man and his dog stop by every day. He now sings in the garden!! Before, he was withdrawn and isolated. The alcoholic stranger who needed a listening ear stopped by one day. I sat and listened. She’s now in a 12 step program and on the road to recovery. The man with the broken back shuffles by every day. He stops and shares a bit of his life now and then. I have story after story of people’s lives being changed all because I planted flowers. And I invited the world to watch the beauty with me. I refused to give up.
Don’t get me wrong. I am still healing. In fact today’s symptoms were intense. But I keep holding onto the faith that we all heal. And I keep sitting in my garden, asking others to join me, so I can listen to them, and focus on them, instead of my own problems.
The best day was when a stranger stopped with 6 kids and they chased bubbles around my yard. (I had a bubble machine going). It was pure magic.
Thanks for listening to my story.
You have all helped me hold on so I can heal.
Best,
Jenn
Why am I not surprised to read a most beautiful and uplifting story from Jenn?
I planted my garden in my head and in my heart, and “blossom” it by helping others, along with myself…yes, I do both at the same time.
I think Mr. Rogers neighborhood has nothing on yours….his song just popped into my head…damn!
Been a while since we touched base, but I’m at 70% in the tapering reduction…all in less than 4 months. As you may remember I started at 80 mgs. of Valium…now at 25 mgs. Tough last few weeks, but holding strong. I’ve slowed down, learned a hell of a lot about the process and have kept an open and well organized mind to adapt, change and absorb all the good stuff I have in this life. While my healing and tapering process has been fairly painless and easy, I do keep my guard up for the enemy to pull some weird or unexpected BS out of the bedroom closet one night while I’m sleeping….my strength is a very strong mind and will, a great body God gave me to deal with this experience and journey, and plain old common sense…so far, so good.
Jenn, this is not just a journey to be free of benzo’s…it’s a life changing experience that leaves nothing untouched or unchanged….I’ve learned new coping skills, more patience and acceptance than ever before….for that, I am most grateful and take nothing for granted, nor do I allow or give permission for anything harmful to enter into “my garden!”
I do have a front porch that is full of my plants I grew from scratch…it is a joy to feed them, talk to them (sure I do!), and to enjoy their beauty not just as the caretaker, but as a source of pleasure, healing and a kind of unique friendship…I bet you read me on that note!
So glad to hear from you again!
I don’t meet many incredible people in my opinion, and there’s a good chance we’ll never meet in person, but we have met in spirit….that my friend is a great gift…thank you Jenn.
Sincerely yours in Texas,
Mark
Mark
Glad to hear its going well!
You will get there. You have a strong spirit.
Let us know when you get to zero! FREEDOM!!
Rooting for you over here in sunny Ca.
Thanks Jenn…..”rooting?”….nice pun.
Gym time helps a lot, great therapy for mind, body and spirit.
Beautiful Spring here in South Texas….won’t last as Summer will be here soon, but hot is OK. Hoping for no hurricanes this year….if so, all is good.
Will let you know when “ZERO” happens!
Peace and best wishes!
ME