Two years ago in September, we bought the house in which we currently live. From the outside, the house was a burnt orange color with the same color trim. Apparently there was a sale on the color, because ours was one of 3 houses in a row with the same paint scheme. Awful!
The yellow/brown tile and oak cabinets throughout were testament to a house built really well in the 1970’s that had seen no updates. Still, we liked the place. Below the house were 12 fruit trees that had wilted in the late July sun with no one to water them. Having always wanted fruit trees, I returned at least once a week while we were in escrow to try and save them.
Last Spring, I watched as the trees began to leaf out. I was disappointed at the lack of fruit. To make matters worse, we were forced to transplant all but 4 trees during the Summer to make way for the pad for our new garage.
I dug the holes extra deep and put in good soil. I soaked them religiously every few days. I pruned them so that they wouldn’t have to support extra foliage. Even then, I didn’t hold out much hope that they would survive because of the time of year we had to re-plant them.
As Winter grew to a close this year, I watched for buds. Our apricot and avocado were both showing signs of leafing, but the others seemed lifeless.
I wasn’t sure what would happen, but one by one, they leafed and blossomed. Every tree is not only carrying fruit, they are absolutely flourishing.
Just like my trees had to fight to survive, I know others are also facing challenges everyday…maybe they are with substances, mindset, depression, relationships, health, and/or finances.
Making sure you nourish yourself with water and good soil is crucial. The people and situations who you surround yourself with makes a huge difference. Trimming those pieces of you that drain your resources, so that you can focus on those pieces that you want to grow is also important. In this way, you can focus your growth. Just as my fruit trees are reaching toward the sun, you can reach toward your potential growth.
I am under no impression that growth is easy. If it is too easy, the growth may not be genuine or lasting. But I do have faith that every person has an area that deserves attention, and that every person has the strength to affect change.
- What are your challenges at this point in your life?
- How can you view these challenges as growth opportunities? And, how can you make this mindset consistent?
- What is a piece of you that needs to be pruned? How could you redistribute this extra energy?
As my mentor Paul Martinelli says, “Your dreams can’t grow in infertile soil.”
Have a great week,
Chuck Ross
John Maxwell Certified Coach, Trainer, Speaker, and DISC consultant
Author: Change? Whiskey Tango Foxtrot!?
530-277-6161
“They themselves are makers of themselves.” James Allen
