We start with an idea of what we want to accomplish. We develop a plan for achieving that goal. We even follow that plan and allow ourselves to become intoxicated with hope. But sometimes no matter how great the plan and how careful the execution, we are disappointed.
Above is the execution of my plan for harvesting lettuce, arugula, carrots and strawberries. The lettuce up front has not even sprouted, the arugula has some sparse sprouts struggling to survive, the strawberries are eaten by wildlife before we can get to them and there is no evidence that carrot seeds were even planted. The despair sets in. We know that our expectations were set too high -- the intoxication has resulted in our current hangover. We rationalize that the season has only just started, the year is long, the opportunities for success can still present themselves. We continue to take stock.
The pepper plant from last season (large one in the back) seems to be doing well and may actually provide another crop of peppers. The peppers in front were planted this season and seem to be slowly, slowly growing.
Even while despair settles in and our enthusiasm for achieving our goals wane, we start on new endeavors. Six bush cucumber plants were planted today, along with a flat leaf parsley (the seeds planted in April for parsley have not sprouted so we are hedging our bets). More compost was distributed to give these seedlings a shot of encouragement.
We continue to cultivate hope that our dreams will be realized, to overcome despair from our daily failures, and to pursue the opportunity to achieve our goals. We often need to adjust our goals as we learn what we are capable of achieving and to modify our expectations as we experience limitations. As Scarlett O'Hara said, "Tomorrow is another day!"
