To Be Seen.

In 2018, the first year I started SHEGROWS, I ordered $1500 in seeds! (Shrinking back in my chair my right.) To date this year, I've purchased $93.33 in seeds. It's still early but I won't be fighting anyone for them online because I refuse to buy into the scarcity mindset. But I promise it won't be anywhere near my first order and its not because we'll be growing less annuals.

I had no clue what type of gardener I was, what type of garden I wanted to create, or who my customers would be. I used to think not being seen by the world was the worst feeling in the world, but now I think its actually not seeing yourself.  Perhaps this is why we winter. To pause our upward growth so we too can grow deeper to better recognize ourselves in the year to come.  
 
In a series of conversations around different tables, with teenagers to elders, the question of being seen has been brought up.  "How do you want to be seen?" Some saw themselves as we saw them and some did not. Both equally important. I encourage you to ask yourself the same thing, and if you are showing up in the world how you want to be seen.

Personally, I have found myself in wild and weedy gardens throughout my life. When my mother died of cervical cancer when I was two year old, she left her garden behind.  Little did she know how much of an impact her flowering cherry trees would have on my life.  I still remember coming around the corner of our brick ranch home in Ohio after school, and seeing her trees in a heavenly full pink bloom moment. That was exactly the type of invisible embrace that nurtured me throughout my childhood and keeps me coming back to garden year after year. 

In asking myself the question, "how do I want to be seen?" I now can say outloud that I am an educator. I love teaching people how to discover themselves, how to find answer to hard questions, and how to find faith through gardening.  Its taken me 45 years to say that outloud and I'm saying it to you first.

So, if you are looking to become a gardener this year, I want to help you. Check out the EDUCATION page on my website for resources to help you become a gardener for life.

You'll find:
- Downloadable Guides (free)
- Long Distance Learning via IG Subscription (start anytime)
- Apprenticeship Program (accepting applications until January 21)
- Online Classes (January, February and March--now open)
- A Few of my Favorite Things (links to favorite brands)

If you have a burning idea for a class, tell me here. Currently working on a beginner gardening course so hang tight for that. When you sign up for any of these resources, you'll be invited to my new monthly "Ask Me Anything's." A live zoom with me where you can literally ask me anything. Making information accessible, fun, and an opportunity for us to grow deeper in our relationship with each other, our gardens, and ourselves.

Here's to finding harmony in the everyday walks through life.

Gina