I missed
posting yesterday.
I made a
commitment to post every day in October. 31 Days of Examining My heart.
And I missed
yesterday.
Follow
through. I wrote about it before.
It has been
a long-standing challenge.
So the
million dollar question is…why?
Why do I let
distraction sidetrack me? That could be the question.
There have been
times when it has been suggested to me that I am not really equipped to pursue
writing and motivational speaking as a vocation. Not because I don’t have the
gifts.
Because I
don’t have the necessary desire.
So that
could be the question.
These are
both worthy of consideration, given that the topic for the month is Examining
My Heart.
Working with
my hands provides a wonderful opportunity to think…examine, if you will.
Today it was
lawn work.
There is a
bitter sweet feeling surrounding fall gardening. Planting bulbs creates an anticipatory
feeling.
But then
there is the cutting down…the thinning out.
And the hidden
weeds…underneath, intertwined in the peonies and the day lilies and the
black-eyed Susan.
Nothing of
that feels anticipatory in the least.
Or does it?
The Bible
says every plant will be pruned. Those that don’t produce will be trimmed in
order to stimulate growth. Those that already bear fruit will be trimmed to
produce even more.
A sizable
amount of time and effort goes into trimming/shaping the fire bushes, holly
bushes and ornamental grass in my yard. But I do it, because I want my yard to
look nice. I want to be a good steward of this blessing. So I trim and pull
weeds and thin and carry it all away…and feel tired but satisfied with the result.
The bonus is
that while all this good stuff is happening, I get to think.
I think
about those questions.
Do I want to
write and speak? Do I have the desire to put in the effort?
That answer
is a resounding YES. Absolutely. No doubt.
I have a
book to write and ideas to share and people to help.
YES!!!
Which leaves
the question of distractions…
I wander
around the yard one more time…thinking about the weeds I didn’t know were there…thinking
about thinning out the lilies and feeling bad because I didn’t replant all of
them…
Then THEN THEN…thinking
about how clean the beds are…how much better the shrubs look and how much easier
it will be to put Christmas lights go on them…
There isn’t
room for everything. Weeds can’t be allowed to steal nutrients from flowers.
Shrubs shouldn’t be so unruly that they distract from Christmas decorations.
Trimming takes
time and effort. Thinning also takes willingness to accept that while it seems
as if the plant is being reduced, it is actually being given a chance to be
stronger.
Hmmmm….
Distractions…desire…willingness…pruning…trimming…thinning…
Lots to
ponder…lots to do.
How about
you? Can you think of anything that needs to be pruned or thinned out?
Yeah, I
thought so.
We will talk again tomorrow…we surely WILL
And one day soon we will talk twice, because i WILLget 31 posts in this month!
BP
I’m
participating with The Nester in 31 Days of Examining My Heart.
This is Day 10.
You can find
all 31 Dayers here.
There are so many wonderful topics.
If you miss
any days in the series, you can find the introduction and each day's post here.
Beth Painter is a writer and motivational speaker. You can follow her on Facebook on the “Think Big focus small” page.
Beth is available
to speak to your group about how to make your dreams and desires come to life!
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