The Twelve Gifts from the Garden: Life Lessons for Peace and Well-Being (Tropical Climate Gardening, Horticulture and Botany Essays)

The Twelve Gifts from the Garden is the perfect guide for helping readers take a walk through a garden or any natural environment and make discoveries about life’s lessons along the way. Every chapter is an example from Charlene’s own experiences in nature and shows us how to do this, starting with how to be present and how to carefully observe what we see, be it a plant, a tree, roots of a tree, an animal, an insect – anything that catches our attention – and to observe it from all sides and angles so that we don’t jump to hasty and possibly mistaken conclusions. Being open is only one of the many lessons in this book. Every chapter offers something valuable. I appreciate how Charlene often uses personal examples from her own life to help us understand the lesson and see how it applies. In one chapter, Charlene recalls seeing the damage on Sanibel Island for the first time after Hurricane Irma and asking, “How do we maintain equanimity through all of life’s losses and gains?” It was not until I read this chapter a second time that I saw its relevance to the difficulty I was having in moving past the sadness of my mom’s passing. Charlene’s answer to the question, at least in part is: “Noticing the good, finding the gifts, and recognizing the blessings.” Without even noticing, I had been focusing attention primarily on my loss rather than on the blessing that my mom has always been in my life. I did not judge myself for this as Charlene reminds her readers. I did shift my focus and started a daily practice of acknowledging Mom - and all my blessings - and giving thanks. Thank you, Charlene, for your guidance in this chapter and all the other lessons you have shared in this remarkable book. Linda Simon

Charlene's book is a work of art (and a work of heart)! Her essays will nurture and soothe your soul. Charlene sees the world like no one else. She can look at the trunk of a tree and discover a life lesson. When she sees a certain palm she renames it the "pom pom tree". She says that the tree reminds her of a cheerleader's pom-poms waving in the wind. She goes on to say "this tree's got spirit"! What a wonderful way to describe a tree! That is just one of the many beautiful and unique ways that she describes the things she sees in the garden. Her way with words and her unique perspective of the world is truly inspiring and so very comforting. I highly recommend this book. I will be buying several to give as gifts - a perfect stocking stuffer!!

The Twelve Gifts from the Garden can be read from cover-to-cover, in consecutive order, designed for daily moment-to-moment blessings, or randomly, enjoying single passages by topic. It truly doesn’t matter, for you will find words so beautiful, they melt the soul. And through Charlene Costanzo’s humble voice, you feel the articulate message of humanness expressed through her words. They may linger with you throughout the day, or take you to another image in your mind which is provoked by her message.Many flowers are introduced but it’s not simply just about a flower, it’s like being given an intimate chance to know a particular beauty of nature beyond the visual form.Charlene’s passages go beyond flowers. It’s about connection, honoring ancestors, and our own personal well-being. It’s about listening to the grace found in nature that is speaking to us, so loudly and gently.-- A Fellow Writer

One does not need to have visited Florida’s Sanibel Gardens near the author’s home to appreciate the beauty of nature that JUMPS off the pages of Charlene Costanzo’s newest book! Her vivid descriptions of plant life along each path made me feel as if I was walking by her side, inhaling the beauty of the Island.Charlene further entices the reader by applying wisdom learned from the living plants she encounters, to her own personal experiences, and to Universal Life Lessons. These life lessons are what the author expresses as our twelve inner gifts (our inner "garden") for daily living and healing: strength, beauty, courage, compassion, hope, joy, talent, imagination, reverence, wisdom, love, and faith.The inspirational quotes the author uses at the beginning of each chapter also convey truly insightful messages for the reader’s reflection. Twelve Gifts from the Garden will not only take you on a joyful, spiritual journey through nature; this book will also feed and heal your soul!

As I sit to read and enjoy my backyard, my shrimp plant and Medusa head and honeysuckle bush among others, Charlene's newest book comes to life in my mind. The twelve gifts from the garden is full of poignant descriptions of the Sanibel gardens near her home and the life's lessons they have provided her. Peace emanates through out and her insights into lives resonated with me. I'm so happy to have read her latest book. I highly recommend it. From the Pom-Pom Palm to her comments for reflection and discussion, it provided me with calmness and yet power to further my journey in life. Thank you Charlene!

Charlene Costanzo’s book “The Twelve gifts from the Garden” is exactly what is needed in this time of unrest in our country. Each chapter offers insights into ways to live our lives in a more hopeful, reflective and peaceful way. Her insights will give you a new perspective on life. She offers beautiful and unique descriptions of the plants on Sanibel Island. Reading this book will open your eyes and you will appreciate gardens anywhere. It’s a perfect book to give to someone you care for.

I have been a follower of Charlene Costanzo’s “Twelve Gifts” books and Touchstones. So I was excited to receive her latest “ Twelve Gifts from the Garden”. Again, it was filled with wonderful surprises and life lessons shared. I felt it was perfect during these times especially.My favorite lesson is the one named “the Beach Garden” which was not what I had expected. Instead it was a lesson in the beauty of forgiveness. I keep going back to it often. The word “welcome” will not be the same after you’ve read this particular chapter. My understanding of forgiveness has also changed. I will definitely be purchasing more to give as special gifts.

Lovely book - comforting, and a joy to be invited to explore such beautiful gardens, as well as the author's personal experiences related to each plant, with reflections on profound life experiences including health challenges, natural disasters and even a bit on the impact of the recent pandemic.Recommended for people who enjoy peace and quiet, solitude and beautiful gardens, as well as learning about life from personal experiences, conveyed with sincerity and respect.