Wayfaring Wednesday

Gardening Lessons for Life

This past summer, I planted a lot of flowers—mostly perennials that will return each year. I also cleaned up the landscaping, and in the fall, we redid part of our backyard. It was messy for a while—new mulch beds sat empty, while other areas grew wild until we could get to them.

One section taught me more than I expected. Around a post light, English ivy had grown thick, spilling onto the sidewalk and driveway, creeping over the rock border meant to contain it. Hidden in the tangled mess were tulip bulbs and other flowers. To dig them up, I had to cut back the ivy severely, leaving bald spots and harsh edges. My kids said it looked worse than before—and they were right. The driveway underneath was brown and stained from the vines.

It looked like failure in the moment. But I reminded myself of the end goal. Progress often looks worse before it looks better. There’s no magic wand—just sweat and persistence. After cleaning and hosing down the sidewalk, the stains disappeared. Within weeks, the ivy had filled in beautifully, the area was tidy, and the tulips were gone from where they didn’t belong.

Other plants, like the tubular flowers I planted, required a different kind of effort—less intense, but steady. They needed water, loose soil, and protection from mulch blowing over them. Some spots were too wet, others too dry. A few flowers died, forcing me to rearrange the survivors for a better layout. It was daily work: water, adjust, check, repeat.

Life is like that. Some areas need heavy pruning—removing good things that still get in the way of our goals. That’s where boundaries come in, like trimming ivy to stay inside its rock border. Change can feel messy: a breakup, a move, a new job. But the beauty is in the outcome.

Other goals require consistent tending—steady, sometimes boring, effort over time. Eating healthy, exercising regularly, showing up to work with excellence—these build long-term success. My husband said he’d rather plant one bush and be done, but I wanted a flower garden. That meant working in the heat and rain, day after day.

This year, gardening reminded me that nothing truly worthwhile comes easy. Hard work pays off, not instantly, but in the joy of sitting in my garden now—beautiful, thriving, and worth every bit of effort.

MAYBE, The Time is Now!

When someone moves—whether buying, selling, or renting a new home—it’s a lot of work. Surprisingly, it’s often not obvious just how much work it will be until you’re in the middle of it.

I remember when I first started in real estate, I asked a very successful agent why she still lived in a small townhouse when she made so much money and spent her days in beautiful, spacious homes. She told me, “Because I know it’s work to move, and I’m too busy.” She raised three kids in that small space, running her business from the dining room table—and it worked for her.

I would never encourage someone to move if they truly didn’t want to, because I understand the disruption and effort involved. But she put off moving for many years… and then her kids grew up and moved out. I sometimes wonder if it might have been worth it for her to give them more space while she had the chance. The short-term work and inconvenience might have been worth the long-term memories.

Many people put off making a change, thinking they’ll do it “someday.” But someday has its own busyness. Sometimes we have to pause, decide, and take action.

If you’ve been wanting to move but keep delaying—putting off calling the mortgage lender, starting the packing, beginning the search—you might regret it later. You might miss out on backyard barbecues, better schools, or the home that fits your vision of life.

If you know you want the move, but haven’t started because of the work… maybe the work is worth it. Maybe the time is now. There may never be a more perfect moment.

Sandra Burkholder, EXP Realty
Licensed Real Estate Agent since 2000
Serving Lancaster, Chester, Berks, and York County, PA

Connecting you to your dream home and the heart of the community with a professional yet approachable touch.

www.sandraburkholder.com | www.wayfaringlancaster.com
[email protected] | [email protected]

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