Gardening Through Self Discovery
I’ve always been appreciative of the insight in Portia Nelson’s poem, There’s a Hole in My Sidewalk: The Romance of Self-Discovery.
It’s an evocative metaphor for personal growth and self-awareness. Through its verses, Nelson describes a journey of falling into and eventually avoiding a metaphorical hole, symbolizing the pitfalls and lessons of life. When viewed through the lens of gardening, this poem takes on a rich new layer of meaning, offering insights into the nurturing of the self much like the tending of a garden.
As the poem progresses, the narrator repeatedly falls into the hole, recognizing it but feeling powerless to avoid it, mirroring a gardener’s recurring mistakes, such as overwatering or poor soil choice. It signifies a stage of recognition without learning, where problems are known but solutions are not yet mastered.
Eventually, the narrator consciously chooses to fall in, akin to a gardener experimenting despite knowing the risks. This reflects a move towards self-awareness, where mistakes are part of the learning journey. Later, the narrator learns to avoid the hole, just as a gardener learns from past mistakes to circumvent common issues, leading to more successful gardening outcomes.
The poem concludes with the narrator choosing a new path, representing a gardener who innovates and explores new techniques beyond merely avoiding past mistakes. This stage of mastery and innovation in gardening mirrors the self-discovery journey in Nelson’s poem, where learning from past experiences informs not just failure avoidance but also the pursuit of new successes.
In essence, Nelson’s poem parallels the gardening experience, from the initial unawareness and repeated mistakes to the eventual learning, adaptation, and mastery that lead to new paths of success. It beautifully illustrates the growth and self-discovery journey, much like the nurturing process in gardening.
About The Author
John Bagnasco has been in the gardening industry for over 50 years, starting with a horticulture degree from Michigan State University and following a stint at Frank’s Nursery and Crafts in Detroit.
After publishing his first book “Plants for the Home Vol. I” in 1976, he moved to California to become regional manager and buyer for the Nurseryland division of Sunbelt Nursery Group.
He then became the head buyer for Armstrong Garden Centers based in Glendora, California. John had a part-time affiliation with Creative Promotions for ten years before joining them full-time in October 2000 as a senior editor and radio personality for Garden Compass.
John has also taught horticulture classes at Palomar College and San Diego State University.
He is the host of the DVD “The Essential Guide to Roses,” which also features Bryan Main and Bruce and Sharon Asakawa.
His most recent book is “Planting Designs for Cacti and Succulents”.
Currently, John is a co-host on “Garden America,” an interactive live gardening show that additionally provides podcasts of the broadcasts accessible on all major platforms.
You can contact John here.