01 Jul Why You Should Treat Your Mind Like a Garden
via Thrive Global by Hal Urban
Your mind is like a garden
Your thoughts are the seeds
You can grow flowers
Or you can grow weeds
– Unknown
At least three people have been given credit for the little poem above. To whomever said it first, I thank you. It’s both clever and wise, and makes a good point about caring for the mind. It takes only a little imagination to realize that the seeds are thoughts, the flowers are positive words and actions, and the weeds are negative words and actions.
As clever as the poem is, it leaves out two important elements of caring for the mind. First, where do the seeds (thoughts) come from? Are you putting in any old seeds that are available, seeds that someone else forces on you, or seeds that you’ve carefully selected? Thoughts don’t just happen. They’re the result of what you allow into your processor.
Secondly, even if you select the healthiest seeds possible, they need to be nourished regularly. And you have to keep the weeds (negative words and actions) out. This requires constant care.
There’s another writer who compared the mind to a garden. His name was James Allen (1864-1912). His short book, As A Man Thinketh, written in 1903, is considered a classic. Popular authors of the past, such as Norman Vincent Peale (The Power of Positive Thinking) and Dale Carnegie (How to Win Friends and Influence People) were greatly influenced by Allen’s book. Many successful business leaders of the 20th Century praise Allen for his work. And modern-day success coach Tony Robbins claims it as his favorite and most influential book.
Allen wrote the book in what we call olde English. Notice that he said thinketh rather than thinks. I’ve read this little gem many times over the years, so I’m going to take the liberty to put his overall theme into modern-day English. Here are his main points:
• A person’s mind has some similarities with a garden.
• It can be intelligently cultivated or allowed to run wild.
• Whether cultivated or neglected it will produce results.
• If no useful seeds (positive information) are put into it, weeds (negative information) will take it over.
• You have to put good seeds in, nourish them on a regular basis, and keep the weeds out. It needs good care.
We reap what we sow
This is yet another way of saying GIGO, whether you’re referring to garbage or good…
… keep reading the full & original article HERE