April 24, 2007

As You Sow, So Shall You Reap   A farmer gets sent to jail, and his wife is trying to hold the farm together until her husband can get out. She's not, however, very good at farm work, so she writes a letter to him in jail: "Dear sweetheart, I want to plant the potatoes. When is the best time to do it?" The farmer writes back: "Honey, don't go near that field. That's where all my guns are buried." But, because he is in jail all of the farmer's mail is censored. So when the sheriff and his deputies read this, they all run out to the farm and dig up the entire potato field looking for guns. After two full days of digging, they don't find one single weapon. The farmer then writes to his wife: "Honey, now is when you should plant the potatoes."   The farmers have been out in full force this past week, but they haven't been relying on the sheriff to get their fields ready.  They enter the fields themselves and often put in long hours to ensure a plentiful crop come harvest.    You see, farmers know: "As you sow, so shall you reap."   And you know it also.  In order to reap a harvest, you must sow, and there's no better time than now.  Spring opens the door to new opportunities and new growth in your life, so what would you like to plant?  What will be your harvest?  The barren days of winter are gone and spring is here, so spring into action by following these 4 steps.   PREPARATION:  Just as the farmer tills his fields for planting you must also prepare to ensure a bountiful harvest for your life. Rid yourself of the worry, doubt, fear, and pessimism which keep you from moving forward.  These are weeds which when left to multiply will diminish your bounty.    Moreover, what is your plan?  Remember the adage, "Fail to plan, plan to fail."  Just as the farmer plots his land and plans his crops you must also have a vision.  Start with the end in mind and set your goals to get you there.  Know the first action step you must take to get you on the path.    FERTILIZE:  The farmer must place the proper nutrients into his soil.  So must you fertilize your thoughts.  A positive "can do" attitude will take you far as will surrounding yourself with people who support you and believe in you.  They will enrich your thinking.  Approach your life with faith and enthusiasm.  Remove those negative beliefs which hold you back and replace them with empowering beliefs.    Likewise, eat healthy, exercise, and sleep well to nourish your body.  Lay a fertile foundation for a bountiful harvest.   PLANT:  Action is required to yield a crop.  So is discipline and consistent effort.  Place one foot in front of another, and do not be so quick to quit.  Spread your seeds in your "field", care for them, water them, fertilize them again with nutrients, and give them every opportunity to flourish.   Unfortunately, the wind, the freeze, the bugs, and the errant weather can come along and threaten or severely diminish your crop.  Life happens.  There are no guarantees.  We all fall off the balance beam, and we always get back on.  The bountiful harvest is a powerful draw.   REAP:  As you sow, so shall you reap.  You set your sights on the goal, tilled your field, fertilized your thoughts and actions, and carried out your plan, so go ahead and enjoy the victory.  Celebrate your success and your bounty.    "Each day is given to us as a new season of spring.  The thoughts, deeds, dreams, and efforts of today will provide tomorrow's harvest.  To neglect the opportunity given to us this day is to delay our better future.  Do not use today to mentally re-live yesterday or to await the arrival of tomorrow, for tomorrow - when it arrives - will be called today.  There will be no better day, no better opportunity, no better springtime, no better time than the current moment.  Seize the moments as you find them and mold them into your own better future.  Today's procrastination will surely be tomorrow's regret."             Jim Rohn, The Seasons of Life        "I think that no matter how old or infirm I may become, I will always plant a large garden in the spring.  Who can resist the feelings of hope and joy that one gets from participating in nature's rebirth?" Edward Giobbi   "An optimist is the human personification of spring."             Susan J. Bissonette   Many farmers delegate some of their tasks so that they are not left doing it all.  We can do the same.  Click here to read my latest The Mentor's Mind column - Free Yourself, Delegate!  The good news is that you don't have to be a dentist to appreciate the message.         Planting season is in full swing.  I can watch out my front and back windows and see the farmers in their heavy farm equipment laying the foundation for a promising season.  I'm surrounded by corn, seeds now, but soon to be tall stalks shielding my house from the neighbors.  The flurry of activity and the hope of bounty to come is the beauty of spring.  Unfortunately, the cold snap we had before Easter probably wiped out the peach crop, and nearby Calhoun County peaches are second to none.  Life can do that sometimes.   Rings Around The Collar is nearing completion.  After months of preparation, fertilizing, and planting, the bounty draws near.  It is an exciting time for me as I move forward to seeing my book in print.    I encourage you to take a few minutes and ponder your "fields".  What harvest beckons you this spring?   Have a fantastic week and sow so you can reap.   Stephanie        We grow by "word-of-email" so please feel free to forward this newsletter to anyone whom you think might benefit from and enjoy it. Thanks so much! Contact Us: stephanie@7steps2abalancedlife.com