Sowing Seeds of Personal Growth
Hey friends! Can you feel it? Spring is finally here! There's something so exciting and fresh about this time of year, isn't there? Seeing new life blooming fills me with hope for what's to come. I love watching the trees get their leaves back and seeing the grass turn green—it's like the whole world is waking up from a long nap, restoring itself.
Early Spring in Tennessee is the perfect time to get your garden ready for Summer growth.
Last year, my husband Tony and I started our gardening journey to explore a new hobby together. With Ana’s wedding last January, and her move to Arizona, the house sometimes felt a bit empty. Tony suggested finding something that would bring me joy, which led us to decide on gardening as our shared project.
We built a couple of planters and jumped into growing various vegetables. It was definitely a learning experience! While we succeeded in growing tomatoes, cucumbers, and basil, our radishes ended up too bitter, and our carrots were more greens than root! It was crazy to see them flourishing above ground, thinking things were going well, only to discover nothing was below! How deceiving - haha!
We quickly learned that one of the initial steps in planning a spring garden is selecting seeds for foods you genuinely enjoy eating—something that brings you pure satisfaction and joy.
Next, it's critical to ensure you have the right environment for the seeds to germinate and grow. It's not simply a matter of tossing them into the ground and hoping for the best. This process requires careful thought and preparation, including things like the amount of light, soil quality, timing, watering schedule, and more—all of the essential elements for successful growth.
As I reflected on our gardening journey, it struck me that planning for and growing our garden mirrors the broader theme of personal growth and renewal. Just like carefully choosing seeds and providing the right environment for them to grow, We need to consider what seeds we're planting in our lives. Are they enriching and fulfilling, or do they drain our joy and leave us feeling frustrated or empty?
Think about it: just as you wouldn't invest time and energy in growing something that you won't enjoy eating, the same idea applies to our lives. For instance, we decided not to plant onions in our garden. While I occasionally enjoy them, Tony really doesn't. He knows if even one onion lands in his meal or on his plate!
What areas in your life have you been pouring your energy into but aren't seeing the results you hoped for? Are there aspects of your life that leave you feeling drained, empty, or exhausted instead of inspired? Perhaps these areas are not in line with your values or your unique personality. It might be time to shift your focus and seek aspects of your life that bring you greater fulfillment and joy.
Just as we wouldn't waste time growing something in our garden that we don't enjoy eating, we shouldn't waste time on things in our lives that won’t bring us value or nutrition. So, as we prepare for another season of growth and renewal, let's reflect on the seeds we're planting in our lives. Are they contributing to our happiness and fulfillment? If not, maybe it's time to make some changes. Are you investing your time in things that aren't benefiting you or aren't aligned with your growth and well-being?
This week, take time to evaluate your life. Reflect on how you spend your time and if it brings you genuine joy and encouragement, including your mental health. Be honest about areas where you may need to say no or prioritize less. Redirect your focus if these areas don't fulfill you or align with your well-being.
Let's welcome the new season ahead and plant seeds of intentionality and purpose.
On your side and in your corner,
Lori
