Today is January 1, 2024.
A new year begins.
I have been thinking a lot about harvesting what I am planting…..and not harvesting because I have not been “tending” to what I have planted. I don’t mean literally. I am no gardener. But figuratively, in my life, in my relationships, in my business, what can I expect to harvest?
On the upside, I have become more compassionate with myself about what I make that mean about me, about my business, about my goals.
So what is the “Law of the Harvest”?
Simply stated, the Law of the Harvest is that you reap what you sow; you can reap more than you sow; and you will reap long after you sow.
Our thoughts, choices, and actions are the seeds that we are planting. The “fruit” of those thoughts, choices, and actions are what we have for a harvest.
What is it that we can expect to harvest? Well according to the law, it depends on what we are planting.
This law works both in the positive and the negative.
We may not like the results of some of our foolish choices, but the consequences remain. On the other side, we can see the “fruit” of our wise choices in results we like.
It is my belief that whatever we create in the physical world first has to be created in the non-physical world.
In very simple terms, I have to think of an idea, come up with some steps or a plan to put that idea into motion, and then physically do the things that I came up with in my plan.
Ideas are the “seeds”. Some seeds germinate quickly, while other seeds take a longer time. Some seeds may not grow and develop the way I anticipated.
There are lots of reasons for that.
Maybe I am planting in the wrong season. Maybe I am planting in not so great soil. Maybe I am trying to grow non-native plants in an area where they cannot thrive.
Ralph Waldo Emerson said, “Sow a thought and you reap an action; sow an act and you reap a habit; sow a habit and you reap a character; sow a character and you reap a destiny.”
Lately, my thoughts have felt very disjointed. It is like I am unsure of what I am planting. This new set of seeds is something I have never planted before and it leaves me feeling unsteady.
It is almost as if I am planting some seeds that I was given, and I am unsure what plants they will mature into. Maybe they are from well meaning teachers and mentors. Maybe they are from friends and family members trying to be supportive of my new business.
The truth of the matter is I am trying to cultivate seeds of which I have no previous knowledge. It is challenging to cultivate a new identity for myself but that seems to be the “crop” for this season.
I have all these “idea” seeds and I want to try them out. So I plant them, and I tend to them…at least for a time. But then as they begin to mature, I start to notice that I don’t really like the harvest they are creating.
So then I question myself and my “idea” seeds. Is this really the work I want to be spending my time cultivating? Some of it is….some of it is not.
And learning which pieces I can let go of is part of the process.
Simply stated, the Law of the Harvest is that you reap what you sow; you can reap more than you sow; and you will reap long after you sow.
I’m Michelle. I am learning how to minimize my overwhelm, perfectionism, and people-pleasing and I am ready to help you do the same. I’m a certified Life Coach and a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Come with me and learn how.
“Sow a thought and you reap an action; sow an act and you reap a habit; sow a habit and you reap a character; sow a character and you reap a destiny.”
ralph waldo emerson
While in the past I have thought of myself as distracted or disorganized when I shift from one idea to another, currently I am starting to view it as becoming more discerning.
I am learning how to become more deliberate in what I choose to spend my time doing.
I am learning to allow myself to rest and do things that may seem “unproductive”, not because I have “earned” it, but just because it is good for my health on all fronts.
I am learning that energy ebbs and flows; creativity ebbs and flows; focus ebbs and flows; “productivity” ebbs and flows.
I am learning that those ebbs and flows are just as much a part of nature as the cycle of the trees.
I am learning that there are seasons for growth… and seasons for change… and seasons for resting… and seasons for maintaining….So many seasons that all have a valid purpose.
I want to invite you to join me in this process.
What is it that you want to harvest for yourself?
What are you planting to reap that harvest?
What part of the growing cycle are you currently in?
How do you have patience to continue in the process?
Remember it is a process to plant, nurture and cultivate.
Send me a message and tell me the ways that you are currently or planning to harvest. Let me know by clicking the link to “Contact Me”. Share with me how you continue to cultivate these plantings and what you find most challenging. Tell me what, if anything, you find difficult. If you prefer, you can “Schedule a Conversation” for a free session to discuss what you want to plant, nurture and cultivate for yourself and how to get started.
Remember…..It’s ALL good!!