It’s Never Too Late
“The unexamined life is not worth living.”
Socrates’ words have echoed through centuries, yet they spark a question, when should one begin examining their life? Is there a perfect time to start and are there tools that help on the journey of an examined life?
Well, to illustrate let me tell the story of my gardening life. Most of my efforts at growing a plant prior to 2016 ended in misery. I would get a plant care for it for a few days and watch it shrivel to its death under my astonished gaze!
In 2016 a shift occurred when I decided to plant my small lawn and ensure that it thrived. I had to dig up the old grass that was being chocked by weeds and do a little research on the best grass to grow in my mostly shaded spot. I learned of a grass called Zimbabwe grass that thrives in shaded areas and decided to give it a try.
Soon I realized with a routine and consistent effort to water, feed and care for the grass I could actually maintain the lawn green. It also called for making a conscious choice about my watering routine and the sacrifice I was willing to take in terms of time and a little spike in my water bills.
The latter was particularly difficult, not because of the bills per se but because am one who’s been raised on water conservation having spent my early live in an Arid and Semi Arid Lands (ASAL) region. Every drop of water reminds me of that little child who goes to spend endless hours on a water fetching errand because the nearest river is dried out and the accompanying pain.
Slowly I have had to accept that in this venture I cannot have my cake and eat it. It has also become an invitation to pray for the knowhow in wastewater recycling and rain water harvesting methods. Little by little I have not only managed to create a green lawn but I am slowly becoming a plant mother with a tidy collection of plants that have survived and are thriving.
Had I learnt what has enabled me to maintain my lawn and plants I would probably be very far in the journey. However, I have pleasantly learnt that it’s never too late to start the journey to developing green fingers. It is the same with a life of introspection, its never too late!
Much like gardening, living an examined life requires deliberate care and patience. You don’t need an hour of silence on your first try. Begin with three minutes. Then five. Then fifteen. Eventually, thirty minutes of reflection will become a part of you – a sacred space where you pause, consider, and reconnect with yourself.
And just as there are tools for gardening, there are tools for cultivating an examined life. In the next post, I will share some of these tools, drawn from rich traditions – methods that have helped countless individuals step into stillness and silence, even in a noisy world.
- Start Now, Start Small: It’s never too late to begin an examined life. Begin with just a few minutes each day.
- Consistency is Key: Just as a garden thrives with consistent care, so does a reflective life.
- Sustainability Matters: Balance is essential. As you reflect, ensure you find ways to sustain your well-being.
- Tools and Methods Exist: In subsequent posts, I will share tools to help you cultivate a life of reflection.