In class this week, one of my students was lamenting that she had only managed to plant potatoes this year, and some basil indoors, which her husband and kids wouldn't eat. Her kids aren't interested in gardening. 

It is so easy to get down on ourselves for all the things we don't do or the things that aren't working out. We get frustrated by our slow progress and beat ourselves up about it. 

But that's really not helpful. We cannot shame ourselves into behaving differently. In fact, according to shame researcher Brené Brown, shame only makes things worse. It attacks our core identity and leaves us feeling like a bad person. Bad people do bad things, creating a negative feedback loop. 

Instead we can celebrate what we DID do. "Awesome! I planted potatoes! How fun that I get to start harvesting these soon!" The more we celebrate what is going well, the more things will seem to go well. 

Also, recognize that change takes time. Sometimes what we perceive as a failure is really just a necessary first step. For example, kids (and people of all ages) often times need to try a new food 7 times in order to accept and enjoy it. SEVEN times!! So if your kids don't like it the first time, that's OK! This is just the first step. Keep offering. Something if happening even if it doesn't seem like it.

Besides that... YOU get to enjoy the basil! Let them see you savoring it. 

Learning any new skill or changing your lifestyle takes time. You can't just wave a wand and it is done. This is why the Garden Revolution Course is a full year (or more if you want!) These are BIG changes we are making and ongoing support is key. 

And finally, when it comes to kids, the most important thing is modeling behavior. It turns out that it is true that kids do what you do and not what you say. When my student's kids see their mom sitting down to take a class on gardening they know that learning doesn't stop when they get out of school.

When they see her struggle and keep showing up each week, they learn perseverance.

They learn that gardening is important.

They learn to prioritize their own needs and desires and not everyone else's. 

And when they see you celebrating your successes, they learn to celebrate what they have done, not to beat themselves up about what they haven't done. 

This is what real learning is all about! 

And best of all, life is just plain more enjoyable for everyone when you are following your heart, doing things that make you happy, and celebrating what is going right. 

So this class on "harvesting" was a bit different... tailored to where my student was at, and how she can harvest all of the good in her life. How to see her problems as opportunities, and how to keep focused on the life she is creating while allowing everything that is happening right now. We did talk about harvesting potatoes too! 

Gosh I love my work! I feel so grateful for all of my students and all of you reading these words right now. I hope that you find something helpful here!