Dear Reader:

I came to realize long ago that I am definitely not an audio-learner…I need to see and feel things to understand how they work.

Most of us can remember taking Music Appreciation if we attended a liberal arts college like myself. I remember our professor would ask us to raise our hands every time we heard a certain refrain being played and then identify the different instruments playing it… disguised within unique modifications of the tune.

My upraised hand was never in sync with the music majors (who were stuck taking this basic class in music too). The whole semester…I felt like I was out of sync- my ears were never trained to hear the musical patterns right before me.

It has only been since the deck and garden have come into existence that I, finally, understand the subtle rhythms of life playing all around me.

Yesterday morning the blackbirds were “cawing” away. One bird would “Caw, Caw, Caw” while another crow far off would respond with just one “Caw.” I found myself tapping my foot to the rhythm…I finally understood that old music lesson on locating and finding repetitive refrains….birds know how to do it naturally.

I found an interesting article about the rhythm of gardens… created by “refrains” or patterns

Source: “Designing Rhythm and Movement in Your Garden“- Julian Tatlock.

Creating a rhythm to your garden will help create a natural flow and movement to your garden.

Rhythm can be created within your garden by the use of repeated elements such as; plants, hard landscaping and structures, these repeated elements unify the garden design and help create a sense of movement, leading the eye through the garden, from the foreground to the more distant parts of garden.

By contrast, in an empty garden with nothing between the house and the back fence, apart from say a lawn, the eye tends to go straight to the back of the garden and as a result the garden feels small and uninteresting;

Add planting with repeated shapes, textures and colour and the garden immediately takes on another dimension and feels richer and more diverse.

Your eyes instead of darting to the back of the garden are slowed down and taken on a journey as they take in the various elements. This makes the visual experience richer and more uplifting.

The article showed lovely photos of structured English gardens with precise repetitions of certain plants and bushes. (Obviously …not my garden.)

I think I have created a “Jazz” garden…which doesn’t follow any particular pattern (except the path) or refrain…it is just “out there” for the pure enjoyment of just “being” a garden.

I have discovered that planting tall plants, like irises and lilies…create a musical refrain/pattern within a garden….small plants…tall plants…small plants…tall plants.

Besides just creating rhythms through physical patterns in a garden…(if we stop and listen to the garden)…we can, also, hear it breathe.

These moments come when a petal softly falls from a plant…buzzing bees are gathering nectar from a flower, birds light on a bird feeder for nourishment, tree branches sway in the breeze, rain pitter-patters on the plants and then  rain drops fall to the ground.

It is during those times of complete silence…when we can actually feel the breath of God around us…that we find ourselves in tune with the world. We no longer feel out of sync wondering why we can’t hear what others effortlessly can.

One interesting article I came across said that Jesus showed us how to live within life’s natural rhythm….

Source: “Jesus’ Rhythms of Life and Find Rest in a Fast-Paced Culture” 

Jesus modeled four basic rhythms for life. Since he offers abundant life to his followers, then the rhythms of his life should provide the best model for us to consider.

Jesus’ spiritual life flowed out of an intimate relationship with God and provided the focus for everything he did. Jesus paused regularly in his daily work to listen to God and directed his life according to God’s instructions.

1) Major decisions were preceded by nights spent praying for God’s direction. How much less stress would we suffer if we gave this kind of priority to prayer? Reconnecting to God throughout the day renews spiritual energy. Listening to God during decision-making processes enriches our lives and brings us closer to God.

2) Jesus’ second priority was community. He was often with others teaching, instructing, and reaching out with God’s love and compassion. He enjoyed great fun, food, and fellowship too. Nurturing friendships and family, encouraging co-workers, enjoying fun times together, and celebrating with others should also be part of our spiritual rhythms. One couple I know freed up an evening each week to invite neighbors over. Their whole family participated with enthusiasm. As a result, God is accomplishing amazing things in their community.

3)The third rhythm that characterized Jesus’ life was his work-not putting bread on the table but serving God through Kingdom ministry. Like Jesus, we are meant to bring hope, healing, and salvation, helping others look forward to a world where there will be no crying, hunger, or pain. This doesn’t mean we will all become pastors or missionaries, but we can start by encouraging colleagues and offering a helping hand to elderly neighbors.

4) Jesus’ fourth rhythm was rest. “Come to me all you who are weary and burdened and I will give your rest” (Mt 11:28). Medical research suggests that regular sleep habits boost the body’s immune systems. Afternoon siestas increase productivity so much that more can be accomplished than if we keep busy all day. Daily rest and weekly sabbaths reconnect us to God’s rhythm of rest and refreshment.

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So until tomorrow…Let us pause and listen for our rhythm of life…it is found in every thing and every one around us. God is a great conductor if we stay tuned into His gift of music.

“Today is my favorite day”  Winnie the Pooh

* When I got home Wednesday evening…look what was beginning to unfurl…the first moon flower of the season!