At the beginning of the year, I made a list of 10 books I would like to complete before the year is out. Some on the list I have started and never finished. Some are new. I barely read everything I’m supposed to for my classes, let alone fit anything in for pleasure or personal growth. I just finished The Garden Within by Dr. Anita Phillips. I did not know much about Dr. Anita. I knew she was a trauma therapist and a woman of faith. Binging on social media around Thanksgiving, I came across a YouTube video of Oprah’s Super Soul Podcast where Dr. Anita was the guest. During the episode, the pair explores some of the content from The Garden Within. I had not yet heard of the book, but I am a science nerd and trying to become a Jesus junkie, so this was right up my alley. I knew I would not have time to read it just then, but it made me think of a friend. I purchased her a copy and wrote a nice note on the inside cover and gifted it to her for Christmas. (Little did I know someone else had the thought to do the same thing for me, different book, as a parting gift…that’s a-whole-nother post).

I downloaded the audiobook version (read by the author) for myself, but it’s just something about the feel of a book…taking notes in the margin, chocolate fingerprint smears, wrinkly spots where the drink of the day or silent tears fell. I purchased a hard copy for myself and finally started reading the end of February. I know you may be thinking, it’s the middle of March AND you ain’t got no job, why did it take you so long to finish the book??? BECAUSE, I read through it once while listening to the audio version and marking the spots I needed to pay closer attention to. The second read through, I made notes and highlights of things I wanted to expand my thoughts on. The third time, I took a section of a notebook and hand wrote answers to all the questions that moved me and wrote extensive notes on some of the topics I felt were applicable to my life. That’s just how I do things. I guess it’s the academic in me.

There are two things in this book that changed my perspective and will help me lead a mentally/emotionally healthier life. The first is the idea of legacy. All of my life, I have heard people speak of legacy as what you leave behind (to be inherited by your future generations). Even the most intelligent, well-intended speakers say this. Every time I hear it, I cringe. You can imagine how that definition is problematic and has a certain level of sensitivity for someone who is single and does not have children. There are some people that choose not to have children, so does that mean their life will be void of legacy? Dr. Anita says no, “Legacy is anything that leaves the world a better place” (p. 41). I put the emphasis on anything because I remember a time when I felt the only things that mattered were things that had a tremendous amount of impact (things that are clearly seen). As I have matured in thought and being, I realize it is “all the things” (like my beloved Texans say), seen and unseen. Even the smallest things can plant a seed that has the potential to bear fruit beyond our expectations and our lifetime.

The second thing is the idea of purpose. Generally perceived as the ONE thing you were made to do. Many of us spend over half of our lives trying to figure out what that is. And when we don’t figure it out, it can make us feel as if we have failed at life. Consider this…what if it’s not just one thing (the noun)? What if we see it from the action/verb stance? Dr. Anita describes purpose as the why (p. 38).

Purpose:

• Meets a need
• Is productive
• Is relational

From this viewpoint, we can find purpose in so many things! The best part is that you will find that when you live on purpose, it is usually through the gifts and talents God has gifted to you. If you are struggling with anxiety, where you fit in life, not ready for a therapist…try reading or listening to The Garden Within. It is an influential work designed to cultivate and flourish the garden of our hearts. Thank you, Dr. Anita Phillips.

“For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them” – Ephesians 2:10 NASB 2020