"I come here to listen, to nestle in the curve of a root, to hear the stories of the plants, that they might guide my own."
- Robin Wall Kimmerer
Listening allows me to learn from the wisdom of others.
Last year, when our modern battery-operated seeder broke at the greenhouse, the work still needed to continue. The seeds needed homes where their roots could stretch. My boss needed the planting done on time.
I had heard stories from previous generations, when seeds were tapped directly from the glassine bags they used to come in.
So I folded a small traditional Japanese origami cup and kept going - tap, tap, tapping out more than 10,000 onion and leek seeds by hand.
It was a simple tool, but it allowed the work to move forward without frustration or force.
As I listened to the rhythm of my finger against the paper, I felt connected to all those before me who began gardens and meals in the same way - by listening carefully to seasons, elders, materials, and the needs of their community.
This little folded cup became a vessel for attention.
Today I’m practicing that same listening: hearing the stories of others, learning through their perspectives, and noticing how I might carry that knowledge forward to meet the needs of my community today.
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