Welcome to Grounding
Cultivating Wisdom at the Intersection of Gardening and Life
A garden is a reflection of you, it’s your presence in the world.
-Julie Newmar
Welcome, garden friends! I’m happy to see you here. As I embark on this new journey of combining my passion for gardening with deep insight and leadership lessons, I am excited to welcome both new readers and those who have followed my gardening adventures on other social networks over the past two years.
Let me share a glimpse of what led me here.
In early 2021, my daughter and I made a move from San Francisco to seek solace from the pandemic's looming presence. Our new home in Oakland, California became the canvas for my gardening journey, a passion I had longed to indulge in since leaving the east coast over a decade ago. While I wouldn't claim to be an inexperienced gardener, it was only now that I truly had the time and space to wholeheartedly immerse myself in getting my hands dirty and planting and plotting.
My garden has become more than just a collection of flowers and vegetables; it has become my sanctuary, a place of healing and rejuvenation. The beauty and tranquility it offers has inspired me to share my experiences with others. To my surprise and delight, as I shared my gardening experiences with friends and followers across different platforms, I discovered that my garden was also a source of joy for them. Thus, the seed of "Grounding" sprouted—a newsletter I am excited to share with you today, with the anticipation of many more editions to follow."
Now, let me dig into the essence of why I chose the name 'Grounding' for this newsletter; it encompasses the very core of what I aim to share and encapsulates the heart of who I am.
~Grounding: Connecting with the Earth for Peace and Health
In the realm of personal well-being, grounding refers to the practice of connecting parts of your physical body to the earth, allowing energy to flow and promoting a sense of peace, calmness, and various health benefits. When we walk barefoot on grass or immerse our hands in soil, we forge a tangible connection with nature, experiencing the soothing embrace of our environment. I try to touch the ground in my backyard with bare feet at least once a day. I can’t swear by the science but its definitely been calming for me and has become a part of my daily practice.
~Grounding: Drawing from Electrical Engineering and Circuits
As an electrical engineer by background and training, I've always been fascinated by the concept of grounding in the context of electrical systems. In electrical engineering, grounding serves as a safety mechanism, providing a reference point that stabilizes voltages and protects against electrical faults (you know I had to throw some of my geekiness in here! haha!). However these engineering concepts have relevance in life and in nature. By drawing parallels to this engineering practice, we can explore how the principles of stability and balance also apply to effective leadership.
and finally…
~Grounding: Stability and Growth in the Psychological and Emotional Sphere
Lastly, grounding encompasses the crucial psychological and emotional aspect of stability and growth. Just as plants rely on a solid foundation in the earth to thrive, leaders too need a grounded mindset to navigate challenges, ignite inspiration in others, and foster personal development. Through the exploration of the symbiotic relationship between gardening and leadership, "Grounding" will delve deep into how nurturing our inner selves, cultivating resilience, and embracing change contribute to our evolution as leaders. I can wholeheartedly affirm that this profound journey of the past two years has not only fostered the remarkable growth of my garden but has also nurtured my growth as a leader. In countless ways, the garden has become my teacher, imparting wisdom that has shaped my leadership journey.
Join me on this journey as we explore the profound connections between gardening, personal growth, and leadership. Together, let's unearth the wisdom and serenity that lie beneath the soil, and discover how our collective journey towards grounding can shape and transform our lives.