Don't judge each day by the harvest you reap but by the seeds that you plant. ~ Robert Louis Stevenson
A couple of weeks ago, I grew tired of looking at the fading ferns and flowers in my outdoor pots and baskets. It was past time for the seasonal ritual of divesting my outdoor garden of its dead vegetation and bringing in some new life and color. In recent days, the fruits of my labor have brought me great joy.
Winter can sometimes be dreary, its cloudy days and lifeless landscape causing us to feel a little dead inside. I don't know about you, but I find the perkiness of a pansy is like a ray of sunshine on a drab winter day.
Just like flowers can bring us cheer, so, too, can we bring cheer to others. A brief smile or an offer to help someone carrying heavy bags is sometimes all it takes to lighten the load of another.
So ... today's post issues a challenge to begin the week by spreading some cheer. Don't just look out for yourself today and focus on what you'll get out of it; plant seeds today that will yield good in the days to come — both for you and those around you. When you sow seeds of kindness, not only will you feel the warm reward of your actions in the moment, but you will also reap their harvest a thousand times over in the days ahead.
Do you struggle with the winter doldrums? Do you find joy in winter gardening? Has someone recently brightened your day with a small act of kindness? Please share your thoughts and comments below.
A couple of weeks ago, I grew tired of looking at the fading ferns and flowers in my outdoor pots and baskets. It was past time for the seasonal ritual of divesting my outdoor garden of its dead vegetation and bringing in some new life and color. In recent days, the fruits of my labor have brought me great joy.
Winter can sometimes be dreary, its cloudy days and lifeless landscape causing us to feel a little dead inside. I don't know about you, but I find the perkiness of a pansy is like a ray of sunshine on a drab winter day.
Just like flowers can bring us cheer, so, too, can we bring cheer to others. A brief smile or an offer to help someone carrying heavy bags is sometimes all it takes to lighten the load of another.
So ... today's post issues a challenge to begin the week by spreading some cheer. Don't just look out for yourself today and focus on what you'll get out of it; plant seeds today that will yield good in the days to come — both for you and those around you. When you sow seeds of kindness, not only will you feel the warm reward of your actions in the moment, but you will also reap their harvest a thousand times over in the days ahead.
Do you struggle with the winter doldrums? Do you find joy in winter gardening? Has someone recently brightened your day with a small act of kindness? Please share your thoughts and comments below.
