We Reap What We Sow

Have you ever thought about going back to school, opening a new business or taking the conscious journey of self-discovery? 

When we embark on a new journey, we become subject to well established, unchanging laws. One of them is the Law of Harvest, known also as the Law of Cause and Effect. According to the Law of Harvest, it takes time to reap what we sow: We must cultivate much patience whenever we begin a new path.   

Do not look for instant gratification because anything of value takes time, patience, perseverance and passion for nurturing the seed, the idea, the character or the novel path.

Mahatma Gandhi said, “Your beliefs become your thoughts; your thoughts become your words; your words become your actions; your actions become your habits; your habits become your values; your values become your destiny.”

Remember that everything begins with a thought. Don’t let negative thoughts create your reality. Pay attention to what you sow, for we always reap the fruits of our thoughts, and cultivate insight, wisdom, perseverance and the desire for excellence.  The day will come when your effort will be rewarded many fold. The constant gardener is always rewarded. 

Just like a gardener, before embarking on a new path, become clear in the direction of your dream and then proceed wholeheartedly on that path. Clarity comes from finding answers to your deeper “why.” Do not stress over the “how” when you begin a new journey. That comes later, after you know with all your being the answer to your “why.”

Step I: Prepare the Ground

Before we plant any garden, we must first prepare the ground. When I used to have a garden I couldn’t just throw seeds and expect them to grow.  A month in advance I had to first pull out the weeds and than till the ground. Pulling the weeds is equivalent to letting go of the old beliefs that are holding us back and the voices that keep on saying that “we can’t do it!”  Constructing something new first requires that we deconstruct the old and we leave no piece of dirt untilled.  The tilled soil is the inner work we have done to create the seed.  It is being clear of the direction of our dreams and the clarity of our vision.  When preparing the ground, ask yourself: “What is my deepest intention with this goal?” 

Step II: Plant the Seed

Preparing the soil is not enough. If we never plant the seed, nothing will ever grow. The seeds must be spaced properly and each kind of seed has to be planted according to the amount of light necessary to grow. In life, to plant the seed means to take action in the direction of our vision and goals. If you are a writer, start writing that book; if you are a teacher, invest in your students; if you are a baker, bake and let others taste your pastries. Believe that your joyful action will bear fruits when the time is right. When planting the seed, ask yourself: “Is my action in alignment with my vision?”

Step III: Nourish the Plant

Once you have pulled the weeds, tilled the soil, chosen the right seed and planted them, now you have to wet the ground every night and morning. The seeds also need a certain amount of sun and water to grow.  The gardener can provide water, but the heat of the sun is not in the gardener’s power to provide. In life, we must do our part as well as trust that bigger forces than us are at work.  We must have faith that our effort is rewarded many fold by the pure intention of our heart and soul. We must trust that we will meet the necessary people to support us in our journey towards success and fulfillment. When nourishing the plant, ask yourself: “Do I have faith that the Universe or God is the co-creator of my vision?  

Step IV: Have Patience

Don’t pull the plant out of the ground before it is fully grown. It makes no sense to pull the plant out of the ground to see how its doing. It takes time to write a book, be accepted by a publisher and become a publisher author. It takes time to undo 30, 40, 50 years of a certain mindset and experience paradigm shifts that lead to harmony and meaning. Don’t give up on yourself before your potential has a chance to be fulfilled. Sometimes we give up too soon because we lack patience, but at time we lack clarity about what we really want and most importantly, why we want it. In order to become more patient, ask yourself: “What is my lack of patience telling me about myself?” 

Remember, we reap what we have sown. The seed of our thoughts ultimately will create our destiny. Plant with your thought, cultivate with your mind’s eyes and reap with your heart. The fruit of your labor is yours to enjoy and the world to evolve!  The Universal Law of Harvest will always be on your side, or could be a detriment to your path. You are the gardener; ultimately you make the choice of the seeds you plant in your mind. Believe me, you are more powerful than you think you are.