How and why do we believe what we believe? How do we arrive at our underlying set of beliefs and attitudes as well as assumptions and prejudices? Who planted the information in our mind? Was it nurturing or toxic information? Where did their attitude come from? Most belief systems form before the age of six. Did you hear, see or experience something that caused you to establish patterns for your actions the rest of your life?
We must examine what events shaped our personal truths. Are those truths still relevant—or were they ever? The shaping event may be a distant memory that needs to be detected and pulled out, similar to removing weeds in our physical garden. Our beliefs and character influence our thinking and motivate our action in daily encounters with others. Our beliefs also influence how we experience personal joy.
What we think about we bring about. Whatever we plant in our subconscious minds becomes stronger, grows roots, and will one day become a reality. Self-suggestion and positive self-talk can help you overcome negative thinking and defeating patterns.
Repeat something often enough and it will start to become you. A change in what you tell yourself will result in a change in your behavior. Change your thoughts and your action will change. Change your actions and your character will change.
Nature provides the blue print for success. All living things want to reach their full potential. We never have to tell a tomato seed how to grow. Our job, as gardeners, is to water, weed, and get out of the way and let the tomato do what the tomato was created to do. Not all dirt will be ideal and not all weather conditions will be conducive to a plentiful harvest, but with even the barest essentials, growth will occur. It instinctively knows that its destiny is to develop to the best tomato plant possible, and to establish as many nourishing off shoots as possible.
In our gardens, when we plant a pea, we get vines of pea pods. It is the same way in our minds. Plant negative thoughts and beliefs, and they will multiply and attract other negative thoughts. But by exposing our minds, hearts and children to the positive sides of life, the light and attractive thoughts also multiply.
Zig Ziglar, famous motivational speaker said;” When you sow an action, you reap a habit; when you sow a habit, you reap a character; and when you sow a character, you reap a destiny."
One of the reasons, I love to work with teachers is because they are the gardeners of the children. They are helping the children in their circle of influence to form opinions, self-concepts and beliefs about who they are and what they can become. They are helping them recognize their destiny.
Each one of us is a teacher and gardener whether we use the title or not. We have the opportunity to grow an abundant and fruitful attitude about life. Children are looking to us to provide role models of character. They are depending on us to define the words, phrases and gestures of language and communication. There is a difference between knowledge and wisdom. Share your nurturing wisdom with others, especially the children; they are waiting for your positive support.