A Little Weed Can Take Over Your Mind

In my last blog, For Everything There is a Season, I shared a bit of life lessons I learned through gardening and changing seasons. If you haven't had a chance to read it or you are new to my site, I hope you'll go back and read it as well. I ended by offering ways to embrace the end of a season that you might find helpful.

Since that post, I have spent some time thinking and journaling about weeds and remembered a gardening experience. This past winter, I left one raised bed unplanted to give the soil rest and fertilize it well. I wanted it to be ready for planting by Easter Monday to accommodate the plants’ days to maturity for my zone. With gardening, you have to be intentional about what you grow, when you plant, and

Unsplash - Jonny Caspari

the space in which it is to be cultivated. Over time, I noticed weeds were popping up in my fertilized bed. I had a straight view from my kitchen window so when washing dishes I saw them. They appeared to be few from a distance, so of course, I did nothing. I continued to notice the growth day after day, week after week while washing dishes and sometimes thought, “You need to go pull up those weeds. They are sucking up your nutrients.” Yet, I did nothing. Eventually, the weeds looked like they were taking over the bed, and they were! I finally went out there to pull them up and good Lord! If the weeds had been edible, I could have fed a family of two or three folks. You see, some weeds are quite aggressive and grow profusely. If left unchecked they can take over your garden bed. Because of procrastination, what could have been handled quickly and easily, became a chore that took more time, caused more sweat, and defeated the purpose of treating the soil for the intended plants.

“Don’t put off until tomorrow what you can do today.” Benjamin Franklin

Procrastination produced a couple of outcomes.

1. Myopic Vision - I only saw where the weeds were that day and on that day they seemed minuscule. I failed to see the bigger picture of the growth capability of the weeds.

2. Lost momentum - Continued procrastination led to me losing momentum which caused me to lose sight of my goal and leave the weeds unaddressed.

While writing this post, I realized that procrastination impacted not only my gardening habit but at times my spiritual practice, exercise regimen, and much to my chagrin, my writing consistency. Consequently, this a-ha moment provoked me to think about why and how I allow “weeds” to grow in those other areas that are really important to me.

But, there is a flip side. In addition to taking over your garden and choking out your plants, weeds are informative. They can let you know the condition of your soil. For example, dandelions indicate that the soil is low in calcium, is too compacted, and needs air. Our minds are the gardens in which thought seeds are planted and ideas are grown. In keeping with the rationale that different weeds sprout and grow best in particular types of soil and conditions, think about your mind’s soil condition and the types of weeds that tend to grow there. What are they telling you?

Indecisive weeds may tend to sprout up in soil that makes decisions based on the approval of others as opposed to those made from authentic confidence. Clutter weeds may easily sprout in soil that fails to properly prioritize activities and manage time. Worry weeds will certainly sprout and take over a bed of soil that concerns itself with naysayers; those who say you’re too old, inexperienced, wrong gender or ethnicity. Fear weeds can keep you engaged in doubt, self-sabotage, and settling for less than what you want and deserve. Remember, procrastination weeds can eventually zap your momentum. Whatever the weeds are, deal with them because ultimately they impact momentum, which impacts growth, which impacts your harvest. What do you want to harvest?

What are some ways to deal with the weeds? I have found it helpful to:

1. Identify a conversation partner who is trustworthy, can be objective, and is a good listener with whom you can share candidly. You may benefit from a mentor or coach to help you start the process.

2. Renew your mind with affirmations, scripture, and spiritual practices that can help you think in line with divine design.

3. Put yourself in environments that will challenge your comfort level and elevate your self-esteem.

4. Read, and listen to audiobooks and podcasts that inspire and motivate you.

5. In your journaling, daily identify a WIN; something new you tried, something that went well, or something that you were consistent in. Whatever you consider a WIN. Before bed, write that WIN on your calendar. Every time you open up, you'll have a positive visual!

I've enjoyed writing this post and I hope you find it helpful and will consider sharing it with one other person. Thank you!

Always encouraging reflection,

WandaP