Planting Seeds

To get something you never had, you have to do something you’ve never done. 

– Unknown

The other morning I found myself caught in a snowstorm. Central Oregon ski season will most certainly extend through April this year. Yet, March 20th marked the Spring Equinox. Despite what the day’s weather displayed, in the Northern Hemisphere we are making a transition from Winter to Spring. 

While Winter is a time to retreat inward, a time to contemplate what it is that we want to release and lay to rest, Spring is representative of birth, of new beginnings and of growth. Just as you might be preparing your garden for the warmer months ahead, anticipating a prosperous harvest come Fall, so too might you begin to prepare your soul. Early Spring is a “potent time to get intentional about the seeds and dreams you want to plant in your life while shedding winter’s layers of being that no longer serve your highest self.” – Wanderlust.com. 

Take a moment and consider the seeds you are planting in your life today. What harvest will these seeds reap come Fall? Now consider the harvest that you want to reap, the direction you want your life to be headed. Are the two aligned? The choices we are making this Spring will have a direct effect on the quality of life we lead come Fall.

“What is planting a seed? It’s the simple act of getting something into motion that will help you create the life you want to lead.” – TinyBuddah.com

When we lay a seed into the ground, covering the small being with rich soil, we must then provide a supportive environment in which the seed can grow – the right amount of sunlight, a consistent supply of water and fertilizer as necessary. From here, we pay daily attention to the health of our seed while also providing space. Too much of any one thing and we might suffocate our seed, too little and we risk starvation. We practice patience and adapt our level of care as needed. In its own time, our seed will bloom. The same is true for the seeds we plant in our own lives. 

What seeds do I want to plant this Spring? 

What harvest do I hope to reap come Fall? 

🌱Seed of Confidence

Confidence in my work, confidence in my pursuits of passion, confidence in how I show up in relationships. This Spring I want to take the actions that will result in greater confidence come Fall. This means tuning into my own intuition each day and trusting what she has to say. It means putting pen to paper (finger to keyboard) and being receptive and open to the feedback that comes my way. It means a deep belief in my own experiences, my abilities, and what I have to offer. Come Fall, I hope to be able to walk into any room with my head held just a little bit higher. 

🌱Seed of Creativity 

It isn’t fair for me to say that I don’t have time for creative pursuits. What we have time for comes down to what we prioritize. At different periods of our lives we may need to prioritize different things. I want to prioritize creativity, so as to propel some of my personal dreams forward. This means waking up each day and seeing the blank slate before me as an opportunity to create. In each moment we have the ability to put on the lens of an artist. Playful creativity now will lead to fruitful displays of art and a lighter heart come Fall. 

🌱Seed of Care 

Care for my body, care for my mind, care for my soul. This Spring I want to take great care of myself, loving myself the same way that I love others – with compassion and grace. This will involve the daily action of providing my body with nourishing food, regular movement and deep sleep; providing my mind with moments of quiet and stillness, carefully choosing the shows I watch, the books I read, and the music I listen to; giving my soul countless moments to connect with the beauty of nature and time with loved ones. Care for ME now will lead to a ME come Fall that is glowing and radiant, ready to say “I do” to that special someone. 

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Just as the seeds that we lay in our garden, the seeds we lay in our own lives take thoughtful consideration, a period of preparation, and ongoing attention. We may not experience the direct effects of our choices right now, but we certainly will come Fall. 

Brew yourself a cup of herbal tea, light a candle and spend some time journaling upon your dreams. What seeds do you want to plant this spring? What harvest do you hope to reap in the fall? 

Resources: 

Read: How Planting a Seed Can Change Your Life

Read: Honoring Spring Equinox: New Beginnings, Balance and Creativity Listen: A Spring Equinox Ritual: Planting the Seeds for a New Beginning