Maintain a vegetable garden for anyone to enjoy

As dark and as disillusioned as I feel at times. It is usually my actions that differ from my thoughts and feelings.

One of the things I do to try and counter some of the selfishness and greed that is abundant in this world is to create and maintain a vegetable garden for people to help themselves too as they see fit.

I started the garden many months ago at the housing trust complex where I live. It hasn't always worked out well as the weather, nature in general and other people have destroyed plants. Including last night when I got up to find several plants had been stolen from the garden and empty pots were left in their place.

Rather than get angry I just placed a sign that says, this garden is for all to enjoy, please take what vegetables you need, but please leave the plants so that others can enjoy these vegetables as well.

I know that many people I know think that what I do is stupid and 'of course people are going to steal...', however my argument has always been that I cannot control their actions, I can only control/change mine. If they choose to steal then that it is on them because I choose to give.

Granted, actions like this are also why I feel so disillusioned at times because even I reach points in my life where I think why do I bother. Well, my answer to that question is because I believe that change comes through selfless acts, compassion and genuinely good actions. I take pride in the fact that every now and again I see people take a handful of vegetables for a meal or two. I also admit that I feel saddened and frustrated when I see plants missing or badly damaged by human hands and at times I find this hard to move beyond.

I know that I often feel quite overwhelmed by how little kindness I receive in comparison to how much kindness I give and for me maintaining this garden is the double edged sword that helps to counter the despair and hopelessness.

I enjoy gardening and have many plants inside and out. Do yourself a favour, buy a pot plant and care for it, watch it grow and take time to enjoy the moments you spend with it!