Oh, I know we’ve all heard that most of our lives. Just one little step at a time and we’ll get anything done. But do we really believe that? Especially when we aren’t exactly sure where we’re headed sometimes, or how long it might take to get there. I want to tell you a story today of a very real woman named Jean Bauer.
She was an art teacher in the Los Angeles school district and one day almost fifty years ago she began painting the hillside on her family’s five acres of land in Running Springs, CA. She actually claims she knew nothing about flowers when she started this project. Today, if you listen to her talk, she’s a veritable fountain of information about everything you’d ever want to know about daffodils.
Mrs. Bauer began in 1957 by planting just 24 bulbs next to her rustic cabin. Each year she just planted more and the next year, more than that. The most she ever planted was in 1993 when she put 35,000 into the ground, each one planted individually by Mrs. Bauer herself, by hand. The five acre garden is entirely organic as it has never been artificially watered or fertilized. Daffodils are toxic to rodents so they’re naturally able to take care of themselves.
Even though she may plant 1,000 bulbs a day, and most of them by lunch time, she says a good tip to getting it all done without being overwhelmed is to only take 200 at a time with her into the field. To have more than 200 laying on the ground at one time would seem like too much to accomplish, but if she tackles it a little bit at a time, it just seems easier. I think I see a lesson here for all of us, don’t you? Some bulbs have been in the ground more than 40 years and continue to bloom.
So, just one bulb at a time, one summer at a time, one season at a time, and one year at a time, this special lady has changed her world and created something of extraordinary beauty and inspiration. And what can we learn from this? To move toward our goals and desires just one step at a time, lovingly doing the things that bring joy. Multiply these tiny pieces of our lives, these figments of time and we, too, will accomplish magnificent things.
Now don’t get all morose thinking what you could have accomplished if you had started 40 years ago. Instead, think of what you will have missed if you don’t start today. Don’t wait until the mortgage is paid, until the kids are grown, until you earn that extra degree, until you clean your closets, until you get married, until spring break, or the winter…or until you die.
Here’s to wishing you a Daffodil Day!
Leave me a comment and tell me what you think…I love hearing from you.
Beautiful post. As always, an inspiring read.
I need more daffodils in my life.
Thanks Jeannie, I think we ALL need some more daffodils! You are doing something very interesting with your Vision Boards. I want to learn more. Sat. is my “catch up on interesting blog day” so I’ll head on over to your site then. Thanks for being part of my community.
This is certainly a lesson on taking one step at a time to accomplish something great. And.. like you said… it’s never to late to get started.
I was just talking to my sister about a 90 year old man that plays the organ at church with out any music in front of him. He had to add to his gift daily by practicing. In his old age, he continues to share his large “garden of daffodils” with with everyone to enjoy.
Kathryn,
YEA for that 90 year old fellow. I want to be like that when I’m 90! I’ve told my children to have a serious talk with me if they ever see me slipping into intellectual laziness just because of age. They just laugh – they know it won’t happen unless I’m physically impaired, somehow.
What an inspiring post, Jeanne, that highlights the value of taking action, regardless of how small it may appear to be. It seems to go so well with the saying, “You can eat an elephant; one bite at a time.”
Thank you for sharing the message of the daffodils and the photos.
Yvonne, It’s funny that you mention that saying about the elephant. I tried to think of a way to include that in the article, but decided not to. I’m so glad you thought of it without my writing it into the script! I hope you are doing well these days. This summer has been anything but lazy! I look forward to the fall so I can take a good deep breath – and enjoy some cooler weather!
Jeanne
Boy I can relate to taking only 200 bulbs to plant at a time. I am a gardener for a huge estate. Some days the flower beds just seem too overwhelming. So I will set a goal of getting a certain section done in a day.
Some times I forget to apply that to the rest of my life. Thanks for the reminder.
Jeanne,
Inspiring as always! Thanks for the story and visual!
It’s hot in Chicago too.
Hope you are well. Glad to hear you are busy!
XO
Bobbye Middendorf
The Write Synergies Guru
[…] see a picture of this daffodil field, go to my blog: https://www.jeannekolenda.com It’s […]
I love this post!! I love the photo and I love what it all represents! This is such a great example of a perfect post Jeanne!! Thank you! You entertained us with a beautiful story that was filled with inspiration and even motivation if we read closely between the lines. I am really excited about the possibilities that await all of us who are bold enough to start creating something today that will still continue to be growing decades from now.. that is just filled with magic!!
Thank you so much for sharing this! You really are an excellent and talented writer!!
xoxo
Helen