The first tool is an easy one. It is prayer. We all know how to pray. We all know some prayers like the Our Father that are already set up. In addition, a good way to pray is to just talk to God, to Jesus, or a favorite saint. They all like to listen. It will help you.
The second tool you can use is your ability to listen. This is the heart of meditation. Meditation is a great tool, but it is challenging. Our mind is very busy and will continuously interrupt every attempt to meditate.
A good goal for the remainder of Advent is to just spend a short daily time practicing being silent. Spend two minutes a day, looking into your own soul. Gently reprimand your mind to “please be quiet” while you are attempting to meditate. This effort itself would make for a successful Advent.
Another tool you can use in your garden is reading a spiritual leader, like Richard Rohr. You’ll get some good ideas for your soul’s garden from him.
A final tool to consider is selfless service. Our lives have many opportunities to help and there is automatic spiritual growth that goes with selfless service. Your soul is looking forward to your gardening.