Community - Jo Cira

During Jo’s early college days at Purdue University they brought a few plants into their apartment. They liked the plants so much that they brought in a few more. Then, a few more. And still more after that. With time their apartment became a verdant living space of plants, people and the usual creature comforts. When friends visited they often commented how good it felt in Jo’s home. It wasn’t just a random comment here or there, the comments were frequent and always referred in some way to how good the place felt. It was curious to Jo that so many people felt a difference while in their home but Jo didn’t try to figure out exactly why.

Graduation came and Jo started the process of moving out. They packed their plant babies for the trip home. When Jo went back into the apartment after the plants had been removed, the feel in the space had changed. It felt emotionally cold. The warmth of the place had evaporated. The difference was obvious to Jo. The plants had given the space life that felt like warm comfort.

Jo Cira

Today we’re talking about Jo Cira. One way that Jo celebrates their one wild and precious life is with plants. A few months back Jo had mentioned to me in casual conversation that they had set up a new Instagram account highlighting their plants. I asked a silly question like, “Oh, do you like plants?” When Jo answered, their whole demeanor lit up. They shared that they were up to a count of 80 plant babies in their home. Because I’m obsessed with hearing about the obsessions of others, I set up a time to meet with Jo over coffee and talk about their plant fascination.

Jo and I met at Counterspell Cafe and it ended up being a serendipitous choice. The cafe was the perfect environment for our earthy dialogue. The dark red and black interior, brick walls and red marble countertop gave a witchy, apothecary feel. We were vibing. Within a few short questions I found out that Jo’s plant count had increased to 90 and, as you’ll find out as you read this, Jo wasn’t messin’ around; Jo LOVES plants! 

Looking back, Jo can identify a pivotal moment in their plant journey, although at the time it didn’t register as life-changing or necessarily focused on plants. Jo followed a yogi online and one day the yogi said that people should do things that make them feel good. The yogi hadn’t been talking about yoga moves, but rather everyday life. The yogi said we should pay attention to what brings us delight and make room for those things. Follow those things. Incorporate them into our lives.

The yogi’s words stayed with Jo and came to the surface of their thoughts from time to time. When Jo’s love for plants continued to grow, sometimes Jo questioned if they should buy yet another plant or focus so much attention on the research of plants or spend time and money going to plant events, but then Jo would remember the yogi’s advice. Jo figured if they were going to spend their time, money and attention why not invest it in things that made them happy.

At some point Jo said they looked back at the path they had laid in their life so far. They realized those first choices were like paving stones laid by the guidance of the yogi’s words. That was the beginning of intentionally creating a life that was full of things that made them feel good. It’s no surprise that a large percentage of Jo’s paving stones were plants and plant related things. 

As I drank my oat banana latte and Jo drank their matcha latte, they shared with me that they are psyched and ready to go to PlantCon Chicago at the end of June. It’s a weekend event with rows and rows of plant market booths from sellers around the world, seminars, workshops, plant competitions, and of course the opportunity to meet a whole tribe of plant lovers! Jo has been to this event before as well as Plant Party in Indy and they’re ready to roll again soon!

One priority for Jo this year at PlantCon is to learn more about soil. Lately they have been digging into dirt; the study of soil is their current focus. They mentioned that because soil is so fundamental to a plant’s life, they want to know as much as possible to create the best groundwork for their green-babies. 

As we talked, I had to ask where Jo got their gorgeous plant T-shirt and where they typically shop for planty things. Per Jo, the shirt came from Tropical Narcotics.  A short list of their other go-to’s include TheGreen Escape, an Etsy account.  Varner’s Greenhouse and Nursery, a family owned nursery in Niles, Michigan. Botany and Company, a budding independent plant shop that has ripened into an indoor plant-gift shop, outdoor public garden, plant nursery, retail space, and urban farm in South Bend, Indiana. Ginger Valley in Granger, Indiana, which is one of largest nurseries in the area offering about anything you could want for your indoor and outdoor plants, gardens and landscapes. Jo suggests that fellow green-addicts should give them all a look.

Traditional Plant Queen T-Shirt from Tropical Narcotics

Jo buys mostly from these sellers when they shop, but they don’t always need to shop! Sometimes plants are free. Jo propagates new plants from existing ones by removing a cut and using different rooting methods to create new plants. Interacting with plants connects Jo to their inner-scientist and internal-earth-steward. Jo exercises creativity by taking seedlings and plants and creating an atmosphere where each plant is in their best environment for optimal health. That, my friends, is creativity in action! Jo shared with me that experimenting and caring for plants makes them (Jo) feel alive. The connection is life-giving to both Jo and their plants! A win-win! 

Something that kept recurring as we talked was the attribute of paying attention. In order to find what delights us and leads us to happiness and wholeness we have to pay attention. The things that light up others may not make us glow. It may be easy to adopt fads that other people are raving about but have we looked at how they make us feel? Have we experimented and given attention to what really makes us happy? 

In the same way that we have to pay attention to what nurtures us, if we want to nurture a plant we need to pay attention to what it needs. What is helpful and what is harmful. If we want to nurture anything…ourselves, a plant, a relationship, a hobby, a job, joy, etc. we will have the best results if we give our attention to what is promoting positive growth.  

Jo also mentioned that to pay attention and observe what is working takes time. Plants are a great reminder of that because they grow slowly. It can be hard to remember to slow down when our culture is so fast paced. Sometimes when Jo finishes one plant project it’s best for them to pause and reflect before they immediately move on to the next, so they can make sure the next step is the optimal one. Jo mentioned that the original reason they were led towards plants was because plants made them feel good, so for the love of Goldenrod they don't want to get so busy they forget to actually enjoy the plants!

We can take a step back and look at the big creative picture and see that every single day we are creating a day that has never been lived before. Daily attention to things that make us feel good and taking regular, small steps in that direction creates a path. You are creating a path whether you realize it or not, why not make a path that aligns with what you want and makes you happy? One choice at a time. 

Creating a life where you’re surrounded with things that make you feel good doesn’t take away problems or pain, but it does give you excitement, something to look forward to, a fulfillment that hits deep and gives you a sense of purpose. Things that feel good to you personally will connect you to something alive inside yourself… It's like injecting effervescence into your being. 

Jo and I both would love to see a world where we are all creating fizzy and juicy lives. Thank you, Jo, for sharing your plant obsession with us! You remind us to pay attention to what lights us up, to take time for thoughtful cultivation and remember to enjoy the journey. 

Be sure to follow Jo’s new Instagram account highlighting her plant babies at @jo.plants.things

What makes you fizz? What’s your next step?

Until next time, celebrate the art of living!

This has been Community Celebrating The Art of Living. I’m Betsy with Betsy Rowe Art. It’s my goal to celebrate life and encourage others to do the same. If you have a creative endeavor that lights you up and would like to share, please reach out to me here.

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Creating makes me feel alive. I want you to experience that same vibrancy!