Gardening is not my thing. Ask any of the plants I have killed...including the cactus. My lack of gardening skill noted, this morning I woke up thinking about planting and seeds--but not vegetation. The musings on planting, seeds, and harvest led me to thinking...
1) Do I seek to plant seeds in fertile ground?
2) Am I fertile ground, ready to receive seeds from others?
Before you mosey on to the next running blog thinking my laces are too tight, humor me.
Do I seek to plant seeds in fertile ground?
It's been my experience that people make a show of seeking answers. Some people ask you the "how" when they haven't discovered for themselves the "why" and aren't accepting of your "how" when you tell them. I can see the "what you talking about, Wills?" look on your face.
If you've lost weight, think about the number of people who ask you how you did it. If you tell them it took a lot of hard work, eating right, consistent decisions, and time they don't really want to hear that. They move on to the gimmick or quick fix. They, my dears, are not fertile ground. Or perhaps, you share something and they negate everything you say or keep saying "I can't" or "I don't like." Again, not fertile ground. With these types you will have to let time and experience wash away the pebbles that prevent the seeds from taking root.
You know fertile ground because they accept the seeds and you see evidence of growth. They start thinking about their choices. Or they follow up whatever seeds you gave and request more seeds. They put action to words. This, my dears, is fertile ground. As a coach, when this happens I am ecstatic because it tells me that something inside has changed. And no matter how much people focus on the exterior, lasting changes are born from within. Think about it. The exterior beauty of a tree doesn't last long once disease sets in at it's roots.
When people I've coached text, email, and call me while they are grocery shopping, I know that's good ground. When they make a choice to walk while their kids are at baseball practice, I know that's good ground. When they ask about the benefits of strength training or even what is strength training, I know that's good ground. I know that person is taking those seeds and nurturing them in order to see growth.
 |
| Feb 2007 to May 2013 |
Don't exhaust and deplete yourself throwing seeds around. Those seeds are powerful and should be planted with care. Use discernment to determine if it's good ground. Listen to what people are asking you. Listen to their answers. Observe their actions. Is this the ground in which you want your seeds planted? Will this person nurture the seeds? I share information and am willing to help anyone, but the level of my help is dependent upon the type of ground I perceive them to be.
Am I fertile ground, ready to receive seeds from others?
A few years ago I attended a women's conference at my church. One of the nuggets that I keep from that conference is "spend time in the company of eagles." At the time I felt more like a chicken pecking around on the ground, but now I understand. When you are in the company of eagles you get excited--excited by the site of them soaring and excited at the possibility of YOU soaring. You learn from other eagles the skills needed to lock your wings no matter how strong the wind or when to stay put and fly later.
Wait, wait, wait. I went from seeds to eagles. They're related.
The point is, as much as I think I know how to traverse this journey, am I willing to receive direction and knowledge from others? Do I take the seeds they give me and DO something with them? Do I open myself up to "watering" and growing?
As great as Serena Williams is, she has a coach. She has a team of people who are there to help her be the best athlete she can be. I recall reading a quote from Ryan Hall when he realized that perhaps being his own coach wasn't the best way to progress. God designed us to need each other. When we make ourselves good planters AND good ground it's a beautiful thing. It means that we continue to grow as those around us blossom.
All this talk about planting and growing in the midst of Spring has me considering the gardening thing again...Lord help the world of flora. Maybe I'll just stick to fitness :)
No comments:
Post a Comment