We planted butterfly bushes on the side of our house recently; I am so excited about what this means…butterflies!! As a matter of fact, as I was pulling out of the garage a few days ago, I saw a big yellow one fluttering right above one of the purple blooms. I had to stop and stare, it made me so happy to see it.

What is it about butterflies?

I’ve been slowly upping my plant game indoors as well. My daughter and I went to the nursery near our house and bought herbs. That’s right, herbs that you grow in a pot, this is a total 180 from how I used to get herbs; if the grocery didn’t have it, I figured I didn’t need it. Friday night I was making homemade pizza and I needed basil. I walked over to the window in our keeping room and cut off a few leaves.

Honestly, I felt like a boss doing it.

So far, I have basil, cilantro, oregano and lavender, I don’t even recognize myself these days. I’m drawn to plants and yard projects, and you should see my pots on the back deck. As a matter of fact, I’ll share a pic of one with you, I’m blown away with its beauty, especially after it rains. I have to confess my cilantro is struggling, hopefully I can save it. This is so different from, well, from my whole past where I wasn’t able to keep a plant alive to save my life. RIP to all the peace lilies I ever tried to grow. These days something about the having plants is nourishing a deep place within me, I don’t even think I can explain it, I just know I’m happier watching them grow.

That’s something I’ve really been working on and being intentional about… my happiness.

You know, I am happy, truly happy, and I think it’s because the Lord has been subtly leading me into hobbies and relationships that are meaningful. I’m also learning that happiness is not a goal but an ongoing pursuit. I have to nurture it, just like my plants. For me, keeping my environment earthy with lots of green is deeply gratifying. I’m so glad I’m figuring this out about myself. I guess it’s true we change and evolve as we age, I would never have wanted to grow my own herbs a few years ago, and now I love it.

Change is good.

It keep life interesting.

Plants are good, too.

They make life more beautiful.

What is making you happy right now?