Plant the seeds you really want

Having the shortest day of the year in my rearview mirror always gives me a sense of relief. Yes! The days are getting longer, the light is returning. I mentally and physically curl inward like the little brittle Autumn leaf and hibernate in winter. I get anxious to break open again in Spring.

Right now, there are seeds hunkering down preparing to fulfill the wisdom of the universe and become a little plant in the spring. A great time for us to start thinking about what seeds we'd like to plant in the spring. 

I don't think it's just a coincidence that my birthday is the first day of Spring and that I love the new seed plantings. I came to the self-awareness that my exuberance about so many things meant that in life I start a number of things that I don't finish (diets, craft projects, gardens). Sometimes the thing never gets past brainstorming and dreaming, but I do have a number of diet books, half-finished cross stitch and knitting projects, and barely-used online *Yoga accounts. 

Life is about trying new things so I'm not knocking being adventurous by any means! Trying out new things would look more like buying a single tomato plant, not planting two large 50 sq feet garden beds like I tend to do.

I've decided to try doing a few things well rather than do a bunch of stuff half-assed. I love the idea of having a garden. As the youngest daughter of one of the best backyard gardeners around, I felt like I had to have a garden too. The truth is that while I love plants, taking care of them daily isn't high enough in priority for me right now. 

I have a full time job, pets and a husband, and other interests that are higher on the list. Also, I am privileged to be able to buy really high quality, local produce at reasonable prices within a mile or two of my home. So I made peace with letting go of having a garden so I can devote time on the things that really matter. 

Plant seeds—the ones that really matter to you. 

Here's a way you can self-coach yourself so you can figure out where to plant seeds

1. Find a full size piece of paper and pen/pencil. 

2. Ask yourself: What are the top 5-8 things that are most important to my life right now? (Roles, hobbies, activities, causes, etc. that give your life meaning)

For example, I have a full time job; being a good partner and pet-mom is important to me; writing and being creative; teaching people to find and experience more joy in life; being strong and agile enough to move through activities easily, and having connection with friends and family. These are the things that are really important to me, that make up my life.

3. Draw a circle big enough to fill up your page, then draw lines to cut it into a wedge for each item you listed in #2. Write each item on a wedge. You might choose to make the wedges equal in size or make some larger than others to indicate a greater importance to you.

4. Ask yourself how satisfied you are with each as a percentage on a scale of 0 to 100%. Write the percentage on each wedge. If you really like a visual aid here, color in the wedge from the center outward to indicate the percentage. Use different color pencils if you have them!

5. Look over your artwork and ask yourself: What shift would have the biggest positive impact for me? You don't have to pick the one with the lowest percentage. Pick the one that a shift it it would have the biggest impact on creating more joy, peace, contentment, satisfaction for you.

6. The "let's do this!" voice would say to start making goals and action plans. 

I'm going to try something different though and just sit with this a bit. I'm not going to fall for the society-approved "planting day." (Down with New Year's Resolutions!) I'm going to pick the seeds that will have an impact on me and at a time that makes sense for me. 

I'll  have one of my peers coach me on this last part. If you'd like coaching help to put together a plan for yourself, I'd love to help. (There is a contact form on the left bar of this site)

Sending you Love & Magic,

Marjorie

*I did find a Yoga app that I actually do like. It's called Down Dog. You can customize everything about the practice from how much the instructor talks (that sold me!) and background music to the wide array of speed and style. I don't get anything out of this recommendation. It answered a need I had in a very well-done fashion.