
03/09/2025
What weeds in a jam jar can teach us about life…
I entered our village produce competition at the weekend. I love these things, village life in full throttle.
One of the categories was “weeds in a jam jar.” I laughed and thought, I have to do this one, we’ve got loads! After all, they’re the only thing that seems to have thrived in this drought (how does that work???).
In my mind it was going to be a funny, straggly concoction. A wild mess....
Off I went with trug in hand and pottered around our plot, just one more, just one more, it was hard to stop… I had so many I entered not one but two jam jars.
And do you know what? They were beautiful. I loved them so much I came home and made a third jar just to have on display.
It made me think about my conditioning.
I was taught weeds are unwanted, ugly, a nuisance to be removed. I never questioned it.
Yet so many weeds have medicinal properties and, as I discovered, their own kind of beauty. Not in a big bold flashy way, but with something more subtle to offer if you’re willing to look.
As I’m typing this I’m thinking, is this just a reflection of me? 🤣 🤣
How many things in life are we told to avoid, ignore, or dismiss… without ever experiencing them for ourselves? Those weeds gave me real joy that day. I can’t believe I missed their positive traits until now.
Oh, and in case you’ve been wondering, one of my entries came third (can you tell which).
So I have a question for you: what have you been told by family, friends, or society that you shouldn’t do (legal of course!)… but that you’re now curious to try with fresh eyes?