March Word of the Month: Cultivate
When I think of spring, the word cultivate comes to mind. Merriam Webster defines the verb cultivate as “to prepare or prepare and use for the raising of crops”. Those who have gardens begin to cultivate their flower beds and vegetables gardens so that the plants will have the best possible chance to flourish. But, also according to Merriam Webster, cultivate also means “to foster the growth of”. That definition can apply to so many areas of our lives creating a garden of potential opportunities. Here are some areas of life that can be enriched and allowed to flourish with the help of some cultivation:
· Relationships: Human beings are hard-wired for connection. We are born with the need to connect with our caregivers in order to survive. The Surgeon General of the United States from 2014 to 2017, Dr. Vivek Murthy, wrote in his book Together that loneliness is a dangerous epidemic. He says that a lack of connection to other humans beings can cause all sorts of mental health issues, like depression and anxiety, but also physical issues, like high blood pressure, dementia and stroke. Consider volunteering for a cause that you are passionate about, joining or starting a book club, or joining a hiking club. The benefits of cultivating connections include growing your capacity of empathy, creating shared experiences with others, learning to trust others and having someone to support you in difficult time.
· Resilience: Try to remember that setbacks and disappointments won’t last forever. Even the emotional toll of life-altering events, trauma, adversity, and pain can lessen with time. You can be actively involved in your own healing from these events.
· Personal Growth: Practicing mindfulness, increasing self-awareness through reflection, adapting a growth mindset can cultivate personal growth. Don’t shy away from opportunities to grow like taking a class on a topic you’ve always been interested in, or setting realistic goals for yourself and working to achieve them. See challenges as opportunities rather than obstacles.
· Career and Professional Development: Look for mentors and mentees, both of which can help you in your career life. Look for opportunities to learn more and develop skills in your field and cultivate relationships by developing a network of colleagues for mutual support.
· Health and Wellness: Take care of your mental, emotional, and physical. Include healthy food, regular exercise and enough rest but also incorporate journal, meditation, and yoga to your daily or weekly routine.
· Creativity and Expression: Write! Paint! Sing! Play an instrument! Do whatever you are passionate about. Explore new avenues of creativity to find inspiration.
· Community and Social Impact: Cultivate a sense of belonging and connection within your community by actively participating in civic engagement, volunteer work, or social activism. Foster empathy, compassion, and a spirit of service as you work towards creating positive change and building a more inclusive and equitable society.
· Spiritual Exploration: You can find spirituality in any number of ways. Organized religion, being in nature, meditation, and 12-step programs are all avenues of deepening your connection to the spiritual.
· Self-Care: Practicing self-compassion, learning to set boundaries and being vulnerable enough to ask for help when you need it are all ways to cultivate self-care.
· An actual garden: A friend recently posted a picture of herself cultivating her garden. She was smiling ear to ear. There are many benefits from creating a garden: an increase in activity, fresh food to eat, a chance to be in nature , a decrease in stress, and social connection if you find someone to share the garden with.
Sometimes we need help to cultivate these areas of our lives. If these seem like areas that you are feeling stuck in, please reach out for help.