Most people love strawberries, they are the a traditional taste of summer here in Ireland and England. Some of us even grow our own strawberries, so we get them fresh and plump from the garden. The taste of home grown strawberries is unrivaled.
My aunt’s neighbor, a lovely man called Seamus who is in his 80s now, has been growing strawberries in pots in a lean to beside the house for the past few years and he tends them well. The interesting thing is that he doesn’t even like strawberries, in fact, he gives them all away. Whilst he liked to grow them well enough, he preferred to be tinkering around with machinery. This year, the strawberries are gone and he has his tools where the strawberries were last year – where he can easily access them. I approve. Why? Because now he’s focusing on what he likes to do the most.
Life is too short to ‘grow’ things you don’t want. Sometimes, we’re just following a habit or tradition rather than growing what WE want e.g growing strawberries out of habit or growing grandpa’s special peas every year. If you really like strawberries or peas, then keep celebrating that tradition, but if you’d much rather try something different e.g. sweet peas, carrots or asparagus, then go for it and make that change.
So, take a moment and see if you like what you’re growing in your life right now. The first step to making changes is to take stock of whats happening now e.g. in your health, relationships, career or finances. If you like it and it’s working for you then do the happy dance and keep with it, but if you don’t, decide what changes you want to make, what you want to do differently and get ready to take action.
You may need to weed out some old thoughts that have held you back before you sow those new seeds but the first step is always to step back and get clear about what is working in your life and what isn’t. Life is just too short to keep doing things that don’t bring us joy or serve us well. Really, it is.
Now I’d love to hear from you. Have you caught yourself doing things that you don’t enjoy out of habit or even because of the expectations of others? Have you been able to change those patterns? If so, how?
Leave your comments under this blog post. Thank you.
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Yes! The whole reason why I am going back to school is to start growing new things in my life. I currently run a successful art business with my husband, but this very same business is sapping us of all our energy and free time. Not very rewarding! It’s not an easy thing to do– taking stock, making changes, putting ourselves out there, taking new risks– but like you say, life is too short to keep ourselves on autopilot doing things that don’t necessarily thrill us. Excellent post, Ferris, and I look forward to your exciting news!
Hi Dana. Well done for taking stock and seeing what was working and what wasn’t in your life. It can be really challenging to break out of old patterns – and businesses – so I really mean it when I say ‘well done’ for being willing to take the risk of going back to school and letting go of the work that isn’t thrilling you. I look forward to seeing your new path blossom as you walk it 🙂
Lovely article Ferris and wonderfully thought provoking. Having just made a big life change myself, downsizing, returning to the UK from the rural idyll of Co. Cork, It was so beneficial. I had to say to myself what really matters, what do I love and use and need and just agree to let the rest go. I did this in every area, mentally, emotionally and physically and it has enabled me to turn what would have been a tricky corner quite elegantly. I feel re energized and re-focussed. My wee rescue doggie isn’t quite so enamoured with the change, but adjusting. I am now going to go over all those aspects again muscle testing them to see if any more adjustments need to be made in what is growing in my internal garden. Best wishes.
Hi Mary. I’m glad you are feeling re-energized by your move. Doing our inner work really helps us deal with such changes with grace and elegance, doesn’t it? I hope your rescue dog will settle in soon too. It can take them a little time to adjust. May your new location be perfect ground for you to bloom in. I’m delighted that you enjoyed the article, thanks so much for letting me know. Be well and happy.