‘Tis the Season to Sow

I once heard someone say that we already have everything that we need in life, but most people don't know how to unlock it.

When I first heard the statement, I asked myself how could that be possible? At the time, I said, "I'm not a millionaire. I don't have a luxury home sitting on acres of land. I don't have financial freedom. " At this moment, I say, "yet." I haven't unlocked those things yet. See, the keyword in the statement is NEED. We have everything that we NEED. What God has for us, is for us. If we needed it to survive, we would already have it. We're surviving aren't we? Some times we just haven't discovered the things that will take us out of survival mode and into abundance because we are too busy dwelling on what we think we don't have. Yet, we already have the resources to achieve everything that we want.

Earlier this year, some friends and I volunteered at a shelter to give residents a little encouragement to set goals and follow their dreams. We decorated flower pots and planted seeds to represent the act of sowing seeds in our lives. You have to tend to your seeds the same way that you have to tend to your goals. During the exercise, I painted a pot (because it was cute); however, I told my friends that I had a black thumb and that I would just keep the pot for decoration. When I got home, I told myself to just give it a try, water it, and see what happens. After a week or so, nothing happened. However, I was curious to see if I could make something happen. I called my brother, who has a very green thumb, and told him that I didn't know what to do with the plant. He laughed and told me that it's not difficult and that I could do it. He said to stop watering it so much and place the pot in the window for some sunlight. I followed his instructions and about a month later, we sprouted. Two little green leaves were coming up out of the dirt. I got so excited; I watered the plant and it washed away my two little leaves. I felt so defeated and I wanted to resort back to my excuse of having a black thumb instead of using that moment as a lesson. I left the plant alone for two weeks and I came back to it with determination. I said, "Alright now plant. You are going to be my little project. I am going to prove that I can grow you as a reflection of the way I plan to grow my dreams." Once a week, I watered the plant and about two weeks later, we blossomed. Notice I said we because I stretched my beliefs as much as this plant grew. I consistently followed my brother's instructions and it worked. The plant had finally started growing....on a lean. My brother told me to lightly adhere the stem of the flower to a stick so that the flower would grow straight. We all need a little guidance, even plants. I followed his instructions again and it worked. Next thing I knew, there were two flowers on the stem and then three. Even today as we approach winter, my little plant is still blossoming. As a matter of fact, I have to get a bigger pot. Can you say overflow?

Friends, that is what we need to do with our dreams. Give them a try, water them, and just see what happens. The worst that can happen is it doesn't work the first time. That's a blessing because now you can analyze your steps and correct them. Don't be afraid to stumble your way into success. Also, don't be afraid to ask for help. Sometimes you have to go to an expert for some guidance to awaken the tools that are already within you. My brother guided me but essentially it was my skills that did the work. I could've given up when the dirt was over-saturated and "nothing was happening", or when I had the pot in the wrong climate. Those are the moments where you should call for reinforcements to take you to the next level. Even when it looked like nothing was happening, my foundation was sprouting. I couldn't see it but the roots were growing deep underneath the soil way before I could see the proof. Even when I thought I ruined the plant by just doing "too much", it still sprouted. This is reflective of your journey to reach your goals. Even when you make mistakes or you feel defeated, keep going. You will sprout and you will be one step closer to blossoming. If you remain consistent with your instruction, you will get results. It's easy to resort back to old ways and habits because it's comfortable. Let me tell you, no one ever grows from the comfort zone. It also matters what you "feed" yourself. If you tell yourself that you can't do something, then that's what you'll believe. It's not reverse psychology, it's disabling your progress. You have to encourage yourself and have faith that you CAN make things happen. Even if you start growing on a lean, the fact that your dreams are growing is a reason to celebrate.

I challenge you to tap into your inner resources. Plant some seeds, whether it be physically, spiritually, financially, and see how they grow. Don't be afraid to ask for a little guidance, but KNOW that you are capable of growing your seeds.