When I fist started working on this book, it was a coloring book with gardening quotes.
As time progressed, the idea to make it more meaningful grew. I wanted to encourage more people to find the healing power of gardening to help heal their grief.
Even though grief is not an enjoyable feeling, it is as much a part of our journey as any other experience.
In my own grieving I used to push it away because it was so uncomfortable. As I spent more time gardening during when grieving, I felt a healing that wasn't present in other aspects of my life.
There is something about working in the dirt, growing plants and watching them die that brings the cycle of life into a softer perspective. There are also scientific studies that show working in soil activates serotonin in our brains and acts as a natural antidepressant. This explains why I can work in a garden for an hour and be physically tried but emotionally balanced.
Readers can download a free e-book version of my new book "Jody's Garden" on Amazon until September 27th. https://www.amazon.com/Jodys-Garden-Leah-Oviedo-ebook/dp/B075FLW47B
Author Leah Oviedo is an artist, illustrator, writer and urban farmer. She is certified in mental health first aid and teaches self defense/empowerment classes for women and girls, including the LGBTQ community.
After working in various fields she realized that she could make a positive difference working in prevention and educating people on how to make positive life choices.
Individual empowerment and personal responsibility is a recurring theme in her work. When she's not working she loves to play in the rain, read and rejuvenate in nature.
Visit Leah's site at: https://impoweryou.org/
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