Life is about learning and growing! If you are not learning and growing then you just exist and eventually will wither away and die. What comes to mind is a plant. I remember about a year ago I noticed one of the plants in my home not looking so good; the leaves were folding over and beginning to change colour from a beautiful green to brown and yellow. I immediately stopped what I was doing to give it some water and relocated it in an area that had more sunlight. A couple of hours had passed, I went to check on the prognosis of that plant and found myself amazed how quickly the plant responded to the water and sunlight. The leaves were erect and green once again!
That plant continues to grow healthy with the right amount of water and sunlight along with the richness of the soil until it had to be repotted. The pot that it was in could not sustain its growth therefore it required a larger pot that could.
Water + sunlight + good soil = growth, one without the other won’t allow a plant to grow healthy. I’m not a Botanist, but I did a little research and discovered that nitrogen, phosphorous and potassium are 3 key ingredients within the soil. Nitrogen aids in the plant's growth above ground. Phosphorous enhances plant cell division. It also helps in flower and seed production and in the development of a strong root system. Potassium improves the plant's ability to fight off disease. It also gives it strong stems.
I can’t help but to think that the same principle applies to life in general. The soil represents your environment; which involves having the right types of relationships in your life to enhance and propel you towards a successful, and meaningful future. Every now and then, evaluate those relationships to ensure that they are not toxic. The last thing you need are people who suck you dry physically, emotionally, and spiritually; you may be an asset to them but for you they are a liability.
Everyone in your life serves a purpose in some way or another, you may have one or two close friends that you can depend on and share just about anything with, while others are just an acquaintance . Ultimately that purpose should be beneficial to you as you learn and grow together. Do you have persons in your life that water you with fresh thoughts or ideas? Do you have friends that are like a ray of sunlight even in your darkest days? Finally, do you have family, friends and acquaintances that are like the rich soil that I mentioned earlier that nurture, respect, and support you in all your endeavors?
Oprah Winfrey once said "Lots of people want to ride with you in the limo, but what you want is someone who will take the bus with you when the limo breaks down." I encourage you as the New Year approaches, to evaluate your relationships. Get rid of the ones that are toxic, and cultivate the ones that are vigorous. Just like my plant that outgrew the pot because it could not sustain its growth, the same applies to your life. Surround yourself with people that can. You owe it to yourself!
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