Were you taught, like I was as a child, that the Garden of Eden was a paradise?
If not, let me explain that it was a place where everyone had innate abilities that they used daily. Fun and laughter, along with exploration, were a part of everyday life. Then, during the cool of the day, when people naturally walk, talk, and are present with others, God walked with Adam.
The communication was in person and personal, fostering relational closeness. Man’s conversation with God fit the normal, gentle rhythm of the day. At that time, proximity drove the culture of community.
Anna’s Passion for Gardening
I met Anna and learned about her passion for gardening. Her dream was to take an empty lot in her community and revitalize it so those in her village could join in and build relationships. She wanted it to be her Garden of Eden.
She knew that the shifts in the economy had negatively impacted many in the community. Her instinct was to convince those living nearby to meet in the cool of the day and plant, water, and weed a new garden, where conversations would heal hearts and invigorate the community.
Everyone loved the concept and shared their thoughts, offering various ideas on how the community garden could function. Some people wanted flowers, others preferred vegetables, and a few envisioned a venue for special events with a small stage at one end of the lot.
Communicating the Point of Your Vision
With her ears filled with an abundance of ideas, Anna recognized she needed to clarify one key point: the garden would be a space for everyone. Anna thought through what she had said to elicit a diverse onslaught of ideas, realizing that her initial message hadn’t been properly received.
Her vision was not adequately communicated, and various people placed their ideas over hers. Anna knew she’d have to go back to each person she talked with and help them understand her vision. She took time to think through how to prepare and came up with three steps.
THE FIRST STEP WAS TO CLARIFY what she pictured and to understand the vision herself. This is often done by focusing on a specific topic, stripping away any unnecessary details, and honing in on the core message she wanted to communicate.
When you clarify your thoughts, you can deliver your points concisely and with confidence.
Anna reminded everyone of the vision at every meeting or gathering: the garden was to be a shared space that brought the community together—a space for planting, learning, and connecting.
THE SECOND STEP WAS TO SIMPLIFY her message so people of various ethnic backgrounds, levels of education, and mindsets could understand her message. Many of her neighbors were not familiar with gardening, and some spoke English as a second language. So she created a visual flier that used easy-to-understand language and symbols to convey her message: “Come grow with us, no experience necessary!”
It was straightforward and welcoming to all, including children, elderly neighbors, and non-native English speakers. She used words that people at the sixth-grade reading level could understand, ensuring that the idea would be grasped by everyone in the neighborhood, regardless of background or education.
THE THIRD STEP WAS TO AMPLIFY her message and get the word out to everyone beyond the flyers and meetings. She wanted people to feel the same passion she had for the community space.
She gathered people on a Friday night under a full moon. She shared a memorable story about how the garden could bring the community together, improve the environment, and create lasting bonds.
She shared stories of other cities that had turned empty lots into thriving gardens. She even told a personal story about her grandmother’s garden, where Anna spent countless afternoons learning the value of planting seeds and watching them grow.
By weaving these stories into her presentation, Anna was able to amplify the idea, turning it from an abstract project into a vivid picture that everyone could see, feel, and embrace. Her words painted a picture of the garden as a gathering place—a place where people of all backgrounds could meet, learn, and grow together.
Engaging Your Audience
Anna ended the story by suggesting everyone take a few moments before heading home to greet someone they’ve never met. Then she did the same, working her way through the crowd and inspiring everyone she met.
Within three short weeks, the community garden was a huge success. What started as a vague idea became a clear, simple, and amplified vision that brought people together. By clarifying her message, simplifying it for the whole community, and amplifying it with a story that touched hearts, Anna made her dream a reality.
Word spread through the community, and the little lot garden became a popular place to meet for holidays, weekends, and relaxing with close friends. Is it time to create a special place in your community?
Copyright © 2025 by CJ Powers
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