During my walk, I often see this older man who maintains a beautiful garden. He waters it, tends to it, and works really hard to keep it flourishing.

One day, when I was walking past his home, I saw a crane sitting in his garden, waiting for its chance to catch a fish. Immediately, the man picked up a rock, threw it at the bird, and shouted, “Get the f*** out of my property, you stupid bird!”

The bird cawed and flew away, and I stood there stunned.

What was the use of all this beauty around you if this is what your insides felt like every day?

I often read that gardening can support good mental health. That writing can support good mental health. That waking up in the morning, sleeping on time, eating well, and keeping yourself physically healthy can all contribute to better mental health.

But I’ve always felt that there is a missing link between these activities and true inner peace.

It’s your mindset.
It’s your healing.
It’s the hard work you have to do on the inside—the work you may be avoiding.

The kind of work that can break you open, challenge your ego, and dismantle beliefs you have carried for years, only to help you form something far more beautiful and permanent in their place.

Conversely, I see another older man who tends to an equally beautiful garden.

Every day, he has an inner peace about him. There is a smile on his face. We chat almost every day and talk about the beauty of the world.

His garden flourishes.

And so does his mind.