Hope for Neglected House Plants and People

Do you ever feel like a neglected house plant? I do.

I do, right now: yellowing leaves, a bit droopy, and terribly parched.

There’s this Dracaena plant quietly occupying a windowsill in my spare room. Even during this sheltering-at-home phase, in a state of being hyper-alert about everything, I’d forgotten it. The poor thing was so brittle, so needy – like us.

House Plants and People

I wondered if it could be restored.

Setting to work, I couldn’t help thinking we all need a bit of repotting, some fresh water … some TLC.

I’ve seen lots of tough-girl and tough-guy books around. It seems critics in the new media don’t like a character to show or feel anything soft or vulnerable. They will issue a dogging review if the young man or girl cries or flounders for an answer. They will call it “immature”.

Everyone has needs. Humans thrive on community and teamwork. Each of us needs a little attention. In fact, I can’t seem to think of one stage in life when a person doesn’t need some attention and care. We share this life.

Like a house plant, we need some tending-to these days.

Our root system is aching to not work so hard, to have a thriving life surrounding us that we may do what we are meant to do in peace and confidence.

Our leaves are yellow – we need a careful touch to pull them away.
Our soil is dry – we need an organic compost of compassion.

Nutrients should be mixed in, things like good humor, a phone call, a letter, a song.

Ridding of Leaves that No Longer Serve

Leaves that no longer serve us or others around us should be pruned. Bitter leaves, all. Cut away dry petals of memories that cause arrogance, envy, self-pity, anger, resentment, and unforgiveness.

Do you feel very bare naked without those leaves flourishing around you? Trust the process. After a stressful season or a severe pruning, either one, your roots will soon flourish.

Like the little struggling plant, we need recovery time. During a time of lacking sunlight and waiting for the regularity of better times, we will need a clear vision of hope to absorb some fresh, good nutrients. Share and be shared with.

Take care of your plants, yes.

Take care of yourself, too: hunker down in a larger pot, giving yourself extra space to expand and thrive.

It might be nice to aerate the soil to help our roots grow deeply; to enable a stronger, more vigorous life. Break up the old soil, infuse it with good nutrients.

Dig roots into richer soil.

A Prayer of St. Patrick comes to mind. In part, here you go:

I arise today
Through the strength of heaven;
Light of the sun,
Splendor of fire,
Speed of lightning,
Swiftness of the wind,
Depth of the sea,
Stability of the earth,
Firmness of the rock.
I arise today
Through God's strength to pilot me;
God's might to uphold me,
God's wisdom to guide me,
God's eye to look before me,
God's ear to hear me,
God's word to speak for me,
God's hand to guard me,
God's way to lie before me,
God's shield to protect me,
God's hosts to save me
From snares of the devil,
From temptations of vices,
From every one who desires me ill,
Afar and anear,
Alone or in a multitude.
I summon today all these powers between me and evil,
Against every cruel merciless power that opposes my body and soul- 

Take care of the tops and the bottoms of your plants. Help them reach upward and trust.

• Trash the bitter leaves.
• Give the roots nutrients and space
• Add water and light.

Drink, absorb life, and drink some more.

Place yourself in the environment you need, one with plenty of light and love.

I’m pleased to tell you my house plant is coming along nicely, showing some gumption, reaching toward the light. I’ve named her “Endurance” because she is making a comeback after a drought of neglect.

Kathy Joy, a Lunch Jab, with content editor, Laura Bartnick. Find a list of books edited here.

Find Kathy’s curated book series here. Her latest, Winter Whispers, here.

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