You wouldn’t plant a seed and then dig it up every few minutes to see if it has grown. So why do you keep questioning yourself, your hard work and your decisions? Have patience, stop over-thinking, and keep watering your seeds. ~ Steven Bartlett
I read this daily, some days I’m deeply exhaling and possibly adding in a Lion’s Breath every now and again as I let the frustration of time ooze out of my body. Yes, true story.
Sometimes it can feel like the germination process is taking what feels like forever and I see myself energetically crouching, as the energy draining from my body. I get deep in wonder… Is it worth it? The time, energy, never-ending thinking? Is it? Because these moments leave me feeling less than fulfilled.
At these times, I can feel my higher self trying to move her way into the conversation, to have some space with the ‘little me’ who is succumbing to… But, seriously…. It can’t possibly take this long, can it? Is it all for naught? Is there any impact? Is anyone growing? Am I making any difference?
I feel my higher self now pushing her way in, and I prepare for the wrestling match between my two selves.
She leans hard, this higher self now, echoing the words I’ve read and heard over the last two decades from countless teachers and coaches…
Stay the course. You are planting seeds. You don’t see the fruit of the labor right away, sometimes you actually NEVER see it… But you must trust. You must know deep in your soul that if your intentions are aligned, then the work is serving. Keep planting the seeds. And, yes, check the conditions. Make sure there is sun and nutrients, and tilling of the soil. There is still work to be done after the planting!
One ear begins to lean in to hear my higher self more clearly. One eye opens. Yes, I know. Deep in my soul, I do know. And more than anything, I do trust.
But my little self wants to fight back with all her stories… all her reasons… Then I hear my higher self again.. You either have results or excuses, not both.
Ouch!
I surrender. This work we are collectively up to in our current education system is no joke, people! I have no other words.
It is NO JOKE. In all of my conversations and coaching sessions, there is an undercurrent that basically is saying… Is anything happening? Are my efforts producing?
Yes! They are! But you must take on your little self, your reasons. You must allow your higher self into the ring to wrestle it out! To remind you. Yes, plant the seeds. Yes, till the soil. Yes, provide lots of water. Yes, prune the weeds. And, yes, wait.
Waiting, however is a skill… perhaps even a super power! Dr. Rick Hanson, a gem of a teacher and leader in the well-being and happiness space, has so many techniques to support us. And one of my favorites is savoring…. Savoring a moment that reminds you that yes, something is in fact sprouting. Maybe you saw it, or heard it, or could just tell by the look. Notice these moments… with your students and staff and STAY WITH THEM for a few seconds… breathing it in… enjoying, experiencing the fruit that is budding.
It’s hard to keep the momentum going and to be carrying big loads when you don’t see the results. That is some serious work. So, savoring moments gives us some extra umph (technical term is the serotonin and dopamine that keeps us inspired and moving towards our goals). You can also use these moments and anchor them in. So, when you’re forgetting the impact, remember that student, child or teacher who was growing!
Last week, my 8-year-old daughter lost her tooth, as she went to place it under her pillow, she took a moment, gazed at her tooth, and smiling said, “Thank you for your service.” And she gently placed it under her pillow.
Over the past 8 years, I’ve probably said that hundreds of times to our clothes, toys, and stuffed animals that we were ready to let go … thank you for your service.
That was the first time I heard my daughter use those words. Ahhhhhh…. an inner smile. I took a mental picture as I savored the evidence that my seed was in fact growing, and sprouting into something so beautiful.
Today I send you grace for the journey of seed planting.
Always with love for the journey – all of the journey.