Garden of Patience

She knelt among the sprouting seedlings, letting her fingers brush the soft earth. Gardening and plant care have been shown to reduce cortisol levels, lower stress, and improve overall emotional well-being (van den Berg et al. 243).

Engaging in horticulture also enhances mindfulness and provides a sense of purpose and accomplishment, boosting intrinsic motivation (Clatworthy et al. 118). She watered slowly, noticing each leaf, each tip of green. Patience was not passive. It was active, alive, and restorative.

Works Cited (MLA)
Clatworthy, Jennifer, et al. “Gardening: A Mental Health Intervention.” Perspectives in Public Health, vol. 132, no. 2, 2012, pp. 115–121.
van den Berg, Agnes E., et al. “Health Benefits of Gardening: A Systematic Review.” Journal of Public Health, vol. 34, no. 2, 2012, pp. 236–243.