Why Bonsai is a Necessity

I overheard a lady telling her daughter that she wasn?t ready for the bonsai ?journey? because she had too much in her life right now. While I understand where she?s coming from, I don?t agree with her. The truth is that bonsai is not just a wonderful hobby, it?s also a necessity. Wonder what I?m talking about? Read on.

Necessities are things that we have to have. Like water and food. According to Maslow?s hierarchy of needs, humans start with the base needs of water, food and shelter and once those needs have been met, we move up to love, friendship and affection as needs we have. Makes sense. Especially when he you look at the time that Maslow created his model. Today, just 50 years later, we are all stressed and over-worked. We need more than food, shelter, water, clothes and toiletries. We need something to take our mind off of the day to day overload and to focus us back onto our true self and balance ourselves. This is not a role that Television can play.

The vast majority of the U.S. plops down on the couch and vegetates in front of the T.V. every night. This mindlessness does nothing to eliminate the stress we build and carry each day. In actuality, the more veg?ing we do, the more stress we build. It?s no wonder 65% of you are taking pills to go to sleep or reduce anxiety or get through the day.

Stress is rampant in our society. From your work load, to your boss, to your co-workers, stress at the office or on the job is the major contributor to disease in our country. Yes, seriously! It?s a fact! When you pile on top of the stress of work the stress of having limited funds to do the things we want and maybe even being behind on a bill or two and we have created a volatile situation for ourselves. Now, what if you don?t have a significant other, or are in a bad relationship? These constant stressors have to be eliminated so that your mind and your life can be brought back into balance.

That?s why you need bonsai! There are a few things you can do to eliminate stress. Exercising, meditating and gardening - which is both meditation and exercise combined.

When you have bonsai that you take care of, everyday you spend just a few minutes with them tending to their needs. Making sure they have enough water, that no critters are on them, and that they are growing strong and happy. It?s a short respite from the day?s activities and it?s a way to get your mind clear, to care for something else and to enjoy the beauty that bonsai brings you. When you start being mindful, and stop being mindless, you will find your stress levels decreasing and you will enjoy life more.

Among all of the necessities in our world, one of the most important in my book is bonsai. Nothing else will make you feel as good, centered and balanced as caring for bonsai will. There is something about a bonsai that takes all of the hurt and guilt and stress of the day and flushes it away like bonsai can. As the water pours out of the bottom of the pot and onto the ground, you find your whole mind and body moving back into alignment with your goals, dreams and aspirations. Nothing is more important than that.