As I sit here admiring my maturing backyard garden through my patio window, I can’t help but chuckle at myself. For the past four years, all I’ve talked about was starting my backyard garden and all the reasons I hadn’t started it.
At first, it was, “I can’t wait to start my garden, but first, we have to get a fence.” Then we got a fence, and it became, “I can’t wait to start my garden, but I don’t want to put it in the ground. I need some raised garden beds.” Then I found some raised gardens, and it became, “I found some raised garden beds, but I don’t know which one is right for me.” You see the pattern? For every solution, I found another excuse for why I couldn’t get started. But this year, it was different. As COVID-19 brought everyday life to a screeching halt, I decided that it was time for me to stop making excuses and take the first step.
And make no mistake about it, I only had less than half of a clue as to what I was doing LOL. Nevertheless, I got started. The amazing thing was after I got started, the help I needed began to appear. One friend told me where to go and buy my seedlings since I was a little late in starting the process. Another friend told me what type of soil would be best and what plant food to use. Then my cousin came up for the summer and helped me plant and care for it. Now I have plants that are bubbling over and preparing to produce a harvest for my family.
What I realized in the process is that this little backyard lesson I was learning stretched beyond just my garden. It also applied to my life. So many times, we have these great intentions, but absolutely no real follow-through. We’re waiting for the perfect conditions and circumstances to come along, and while we’re waiting, opportunities are passing us by. And yes, some of the “reasons” we give for waiting sound like legitimate reasons, but at the end of the day, most of them are just excuses. Sometimes we have to simply do as Dr. Martin Luther King said, “Take the first step in faith. You don’t have to see the whole staircase, just take the first step.”
Today, take an assessment of your life. What are you putting off starting because you’re waiting for the perfect conditions to move forward? Stop procrastinating and apply some action to your faith. Once you start walking, the resources will begin to reveal themselves to help you get to the next step, and before you know it, your garden will be blossoming too.
I hope today’s message has encouraged you on your journey. As always, I thank you for stopping by. Be sure to like, share, and subscribe to this blog. Remember, today is a great day to make a difference in the lives of those around you. Until next time…
Be Safe & Be Well,
T. Lynn Tate
The Wholeness Coach