Having lived in many different places without BE-ing rooted I have come to realize that incessant moving about prevents BE-ing rooted and requires a rather unconscious state of mind. I remember when I was an Assistant Professor at the University of Arizona's College of Nursing teaching about Selye's model of stress and the consequences of major life changes on one's health, I was very cavalier about my good health not being affected by my many moves and unfortunate work experiences. I rather saw myself in a constant state like these vibrant and healthy starts in my greenhouse in spite of my workaholic nature. I was a vegetarian, ran 40 miles a week, swam a couple of times a week, hiked in nature to enjoy the beauty and peacefulness of the desert and mountains. Sasha and Tatiana (Siberian Huskies) were my wonderful companions in many of these activities.
More transplanting of myself ensued to locations less and less hospitable. With each move I found myself dipping into the well of pioneer woman to continue working. Finally I arrived in Sonoma County with the well close to dry and me wilted just like these transplants in my greenhouse. A change, big change, was in order. Maybe making choices more consciously? Considering the consequences of my choices?
Finding a home, like these seedling trays that essentially eliminate transplant shock, where I could be comfortable seemed like an appropriate place to start. Done. And both Sasha and Tatiana seemed really happy living in the country, with a morning run on country roads and an occasional chasing of skunks or a feral cat. The expansive views seemed to feed me.
Then my long dead grandmother visited saying, "Do the hard work while you can or you'll have to do it on your death bed." Well, that was a wake up call!
How to be conscious? Becoming aware of habits learned seemed like the next step. An introduction to the Enneagram (a map for the emotional, psychological, spiritual AND for how to tell the difference between unconscious/learned habits and conscious BE-ing) was a blessing. I discovered my point of view and perception of the world as well as others' points of view and ways of perceiving. Ah ha, "everyone doesn't think like I do," so maybe, just maybe I can be more open.
This process of being more open, opens doors heretofore closed. For me this "allowing" brings to me consciousness, seeing what previously was hidden. One of these wonderful gifts came in the form of a nearby organization, the Flower Essence Society located in Nevada City, CA.
Their Five-Flower Formula, aka Bach Flower Remedy Rescue, is a combination flower essence from five flowers: Cherry Plum, Clematis, Impatiens, Rock Rose and Star of Bethlehem. This wonderful elixir provides the opportunity for "calmness and stability in any emergency or time of high stress" for any sentient BE-ing.
To mitigate transplant shock, I find this remedy works well diluted 4 drops/1 ounce of spring water, shaking then add 8 drops of brandy, again shaking, Using this preparation in a spray bottle is a lovely way to support these tiny starts adjusting to their new home, the seedling trays.
So I have learned that transplantation, whether of ourselves or plants, produces evidence of shock IF we observe. BE-ing conscious in the uprooting and rerooting, we each can minimize the degree of the shock and the consequential reverberations. My plants provide me wisdom. I only have to observe and BE conscious.
Please share your experiences in the comment section.
