Seeds of Change-Common App Essay

An Indian proverb states, “All of the flowers of all the tomorrows are in the seeds of today.” I keep this mantra in my mind when I am toiling in the soil of my garden. For two years now, every Friday I can be found with dusty pants, muddy shoes, and a shovel in hand. After earning a green thumb from a desert landscaping course, I have been working incessantly with a team of three to create a desert, xeriscape garden that is both educational and aesthetically pleasing. We have transformed the barren, dilapidated landscape of our school’s science garden into a lively, thriving Eden. Through the course of this project, my understanding of the natural world and of myself has been influenced by plants and by the creation of our garden.

Gardening has made me more aware of the world in which I live. I see that plants are incredible life forms: their ingenious design and aesthetic quality make them a wonder of nature. They are the keystone for life on earth—cooperating with all species, fertilizing the land, and supplying our planet with the breath of life. One morning, after a session of planting, I witnessed a violet hummingbird sipping the sweet nectar of a new plant. The hummingbird’s interaction with the garden was a visible sign that all organisms are interconnected. I saw then that my actions—mankind’s actions—affect the ecosystem and ultimately the biosphere. Encounters like this have given me a deeper respect for the delicate balance of life. To change the world, all one needs to do is plant a seed with the hope of growth.

What’s more, the garden is the perfect fusion for my passions of biology and art. It is both an educational area and a beautiful accent to our campus. My scientific side loves the method behind creating an efficient, healthy garden; while my artistic side sees gardening as an art that uses flowers and plants as paint, and the soil and sky as canvas. The painting of our garden changes every day. There is always a new leaf to be found, a new cactus to add, and a new problem to solve. It is a constantly evolving process; in essence, the garden is always growing. I have learned that a garden requires lots of water—most of it in the form of perspiration. Hours of physical labor have gone into this creation. But after a hard day of planting, I can pat my hands dry of the dirt and leaves, and feel proud that I am creating something that will last longer than I will.

As the garden has grown, so have I. Our group initially had failures, but we have learned from our mistakes and persevered. Vita Sackville-West, English poet, novelist, and fellow gardener said, “The most noteworthy thing about gardeners is that they are always optimistic, always enterprising, and never satisfied.” My patience, diligence, and hope have been tested by the garden. But upon the sight of a vibrant, new leaf all doubt is lost. I realize that I am planting the seeds for a better garden of the future—a metaphor I extend to all aspects of my life.

Through this experience I have learned to cultivate the garden within. I am more understanding of life’s intricacies and I am more confident in my ability to change the world, even if it is one seed at a time. The perfume of a flower coupled with the fresh scent of the wet earth is an indescribable feeling that I live for. It is said that many things grow in the garden that were never sowed there by human hands. Weeds and insects top that list; however, seeds of thought and awareness engendered in the garden can spread like dandelion seeds in a gust of wind. The garden is a symbol of cooperation between man, animals, and plants. For me, gardening is a labor of love whose real fruits are not tangible.