There's a wonderful book entitled, "Start with Why", that suggests that we should always start with the "why" before the "what" and the "how". Although this book is focused on business leadership, I think the concept applies to many aspects of our lives, including our planted aquarium hobby.
Another book that I highly recommend is Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance. It encourages caring for one's work through self-reliance, understanding technology, and achieving "peace of mind" through mindful, attentive maintenance. Again, concepts that I think apply to our planted aquarium hobby.
Here is a wonderful video from two of my favorite people in the planted aquarium hobby, George Farmer and Balazs Farkas. George speaks about the philosophy of aquascaping while building a planted aquarium.
Green Aqua has brought us similar videos discussing Takashi Amano's philosophy behind his Nature Aquarium Concept.
In my personal experience in the hobby, I believe newcomers naturally focus on learning the techniques and in acquiring the fundamental knowledge needed to grow plants well. That takes time and a lot of trial and error. However, I think we do progress over time to a point where we kinda know what we're doing. At that point, we start to see everything in the aquarium as interconnected and you begin to truly see the "why" in this beautiful hobby.
Today, maintaining my aquarium is similar to a mindfulness meditation for me. Trimming and replanting is not a chore but a cultivation of healthy plants that allows me to be present in the moment with great caring for the plant and the overall ecosystem that's entrusted to me. I don't think about work, problems, what's going on in the world, etc. It's just me and the plant and the trimming.
I wonder if thinking about the why earlier in our planted aquarium journey would help us get through some of the rough patches we all experience? Perhaps gain a deeper appreciation for what we are building and, ultimately, draw more meaning and rewards from it?
Anyone else take the time, occasionally, for deeper thoughts into our hobby?
Another book that I highly recommend is Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance. It encourages caring for one's work through self-reliance, understanding technology, and achieving "peace of mind" through mindful, attentive maintenance. Again, concepts that I think apply to our planted aquarium hobby.
Here is a wonderful video from two of my favorite people in the planted aquarium hobby, George Farmer and Balazs Farkas. George speaks about the philosophy of aquascaping while building a planted aquarium.
Green Aqua has brought us similar videos discussing Takashi Amano's philosophy behind his Nature Aquarium Concept.
In my personal experience in the hobby, I believe newcomers naturally focus on learning the techniques and in acquiring the fundamental knowledge needed to grow plants well. That takes time and a lot of trial and error. However, I think we do progress over time to a point where we kinda know what we're doing. At that point, we start to see everything in the aquarium as interconnected and you begin to truly see the "why" in this beautiful hobby.
Today, maintaining my aquarium is similar to a mindfulness meditation for me. Trimming and replanting is not a chore but a cultivation of healthy plants that allows me to be present in the moment with great caring for the plant and the overall ecosystem that's entrusted to me. I don't think about work, problems, what's going on in the world, etc. It's just me and the plant and the trimming.
I wonder if thinking about the why earlier in our planted aquarium journey would help us get through some of the rough patches we all experience? Perhaps gain a deeper appreciation for what we are building and, ultimately, draw more meaning and rewards from it?
Anyone else take the time, occasionally, for deeper thoughts into our hobby?
