Gardening is such a great analogy for life. There are so many parallels in writing or motivational thinking. You reap what you sow. If you have a dream, you have to nurture and care for it to see it come to fruition. From the Gospel for today, the Fifteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time, the seed that falls on rich soil produces fruit.

In the Strangest Secret by Earl Nightingale, one of my favorite motivational talks, Mr. Nightingale reminds us that what we do in life, and how we think, determines what we accomplish. We all begin with the belief in the possibility of our dreams and our intentions. Why don’t we achieve what we set out to accomplish? Mr. Nightingale suggests most people conform to life, and the belief of others, around us. The successful person is not a specific job or title, but rather someone who progressively works toward their desired goal or outcome. Without specific intention, direction, and guidance, we don’t end up where we want. His secret – “we become what we think about” or what we give our attention to.

When I go to my favorite garden centers and buy plants for the year, I don’t come home and plop them on the ground or in a pot, as is, and expect it to grow. Annuals need some nourishing potting soil, occasional fertilizer and even more water than plants in the flower beds. The perennials need the right spot of sun or shade, soil that is amended, proper pruning for the plant and of course, water. I care for the plants and then watch them take root and grow.

Today’s photo is of Black-eyed Susan (Rudbeckia) in my flower beds. I didn’t plant them in that spot. They are now growing along side a day lily plant and some echinacea (which looks like I have to give more space this year because of the Black-eyed Susan). The Black-eyed Susan are around the corner on the other side of the burning bush. The seed scattered, the soil was rich and it’s a sunny spot, which they prefer, so the plant has grown beautifully there. Perhaps too abundantly!

As we listen to scripture each day, or at least weekly, we are hearing and giving the Word of God a place to take root and plant seeds. Our faith grows as we mature spiritually. I don’t hear the Word proclaimed as a sixth grader and expect that level of faith to carry me the rest of my life, giving me counsel in every difficult or trying situation. I have to keep tending it, listening and growing, at the various phases of life. A deeply rooted and established plant in my garden isn’t going to topple in a storm. When the challenging situations come, the faith life that has been attended to over the years, is going to provide the firm foundation to help me navigate the difficult times. In his sermon on YouTube for this week, Bishop Barron suggests that the Word of God is creative (vs. descriptive or performative) and changes things. I would agree.

As a Benedictine Oblate and someone desiring a deeper faith life and closeness to God, I was reading daily scripture and reflections. But from the time, four or five years ago, on retreat when I heard (internal) the invitation to attend daily Mass things have changed. Oh believe me, I argued with God about that invitation – I was working and traveling, busy, etc. But the invitation persisted. I negotiated and said I would do the best I could. Do I still need to let that Word take better root, absolutely! There are days that it definitely falls among the weeds and is choked out by worry or lack of faith. But I keep listening. Over time, that Word we hear changes us, changes our perception of things and reaction to things. There are a ton of options, rather than being physically present at Mass if you find that challenging or you aren’t Catholic, YouTube or Facebook live streams, sites and apps like Hallow that you can simply listen to the scripture readings, etc. If you can become easily distracted, I would recommend listening to vs. reading scripture each day.

Whether success in work, family or faith, we become what we listen to and think about. Are you giving your attention to the things you want in life?

Peace, Deena

Both talks mentioned today can be found on YouTube

Photo is from my photo album of the Black-eyed Susan in my garden that is mentioned in the post.