Most of us have heard the story about the tortoise and the hare. It was once considered an admiral trait, to take one’s time to do a good job at something. In this new world of technology, where many of those in my generation struggle to keep up, multi-tasking and performing tasks as hurriedly as possible, has become the desired mode of operation. People have become sloppy and careless in their need to multi-task, forfeiting the satisfying accomplishment of a job well done.
Perfectionism has become a near sin and those who approach tasks slowly and methodically, are criticized and labeled as OCD, or some other modern term. Patience is not a word that is understood by the youth of today. They want everything and they want it NOW. The media is in large part, the mechanism that spurs this insatiable need to rush. Some of the television shows are seen transforming a weedy lawn into an amazing landscape, or a dilapidated house into a quaint bungalow within a thirty minute show. It is actually less, because about ten percent of the program is devoted to commercials. Five course meals are prepared and served in only a half hour, giving the illusion that it can be done effortlessly.
Few people appreciate the fact that plants have their own timetable and oftentimes, it takes two or more seasons for a perennial garden to make a worthwhile show. The owners are not informed that in order for a garden to remain beautiful, it needs to be maintained. Within five years or so, it may need another major overhaul, as plants become overcrowded. It is not uncommon to see landscaping that has been done around public areas, soon overcome with weeds because the people, who initially planted it, are long gone and no arrangement had been made to maintain it. When the plants die, they may be replaced with new ones, but because the proper conditions have not been provided to begin with, those plants will struggle as well.
We no longer value things for what they are, but for the profit that they might produce. Many plants that are tender perennials are treated as “disposable” and merely thrown out at the end of the season. Our wastefulness is beyond comprehension. Thankfully, some of us still do value all those things that life has provided for us, and we work mindfully at our tasks.
