Inspiring Vines of the Pergola Series- Part #1

Today I start my new blog series "Inspiring Vines of the Pergola." I am so excited. At the end of every week, when I am in town, I will go to the stunning Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden, ten minutes from my home in Miami, and perform a walking meditation under the Vine Pergola. Then, I take out my tablet and share with you the prominent thoughts imparted to me by the vines and plants woven through the wooden and stone structure.

My surname -- Pergola -- actually does mean a garden structure that offers protection from the glare of direct sunlight and gives climbing plants a structure to grow on. The Pergola provides beautiful support during times of growth and transformation. In this rapidly changing, often unstable-feeling era we are all in, I am reminded to seek pillars of structure wherever and whenever I can find them; and, whenever possible, instruct others to do the same. I guess you could say this is the job I was born into.

The Vine Pergola at Fairchild Gardens is 213 meters long (700 feet). Walking through it, it is easy to enter another state of consciousness - restful awareness, connected to the natural world.

This morning, I had thoughts about how some of the world's biggest institutions, ones that seemed so locked in, are shaking and quaking: nation-states, whole economies based on manufacturing things, even McDonald's is revisiting its business model! This information and experience-based economy that is taking over whole swaths of the world is wild, and I often find myself wondering what is REAL these days.

As I approached the end of the Pergola, I was drawn to a very large, strong old vine. It gracefully wrapped itself around a pillar of the Pergola as if inextricably linked. I thought about our elders, and the wisdom they hold that is timeless. The importance of being patient, of staying rooted in terra sort-of firma, and to hang onto a pillar as you let your branches splay out seeking sunshine. This morning, my pillar is love. What's your pillar of the day?

As I emerge from Vine Pergola I walk straight into Africa. My other home. The Spiny Forest of Madagascar currently adorned with the art of Dale Chihuly, and, a beautiful baobab tree greet me with knowingness. Hang on to what matters my friends, and always take some time to really listen.

Stay tuned for next week's story from the Inspiring Vines of the Pergola blog series. And have a great day. 

Ashe