In many ways, I am writing this newsletter to myself. As another busy year comes to an end I want to reflect on landscaping and life. In both the yard and life there are certain seasons we go through. Reading Chet Bush's column a year ago gave me some ideas on how composting dead plant materials is really the beginning of new life. Chet took this lesson and applied it to our lives.
When fall comes the leaves turn brilliant colors. It makes us feel alive with excitement. It is a time of change and glory; perhaps like the time we have been given on earth to make a difference in others. Then the leaves fall off the tree. This glorious season is over. The excitement fades and the leaves are left on the ground. It is the season of life in which we may wonder what else there is to do. Is this it? The leaves that fell to the ground may look to be finished, but their job has just begun. They have a new role to play, now, to nurture and feed the roots. The leaves provide a valuable resource to the tree. The leaves' past glory now feeds the future for new leaves coming in the spring.
Our role may not be as glorious as it was before, but you and I still have a purpose in society. Use your leaves, your past, to help feed others. Encouraging others is fertilizer for the soul. Truett Cathy, founder of Chick-fil-A once asked, "How do you know if someone needs encouraging?" His reply: "If he is alive." This is one reason I started the Planting to Grow newsletter: To share with others and encourage our communities to grow into better and more productive places. Studies show that people feel and work better, crime drops, and quality of life increases in areas where people take time to landscape. Be glorious in your life today. Continue to encourage others and nurture them from your past experiences. Get outside and do a little work in the yard. It is great therapy.
In many ways, I am writing this newsletter to myself. As another busy year comes to an end I want to reflect on landscaping and life. In both the yard and life there are certain seasons we go through. Reading Chet Bush's column a year ago gave me some ideas on how composting dead plant materials is really the beginning of new life. Chet took this lesson and applied it to our lives.
When fall comes the leaves turn brilliant colors. It makes us feel alive with excitement. It is a time of change and glory; perhaps like the time we have been given on earth to make a difference in others. Then the leaves fall off the tree. This glorious season is over. The excitement fades and the leaves are left on the ground. It is the season of life in which we may wonder what else there is to do. Is this it? The leaves that fell to the ground may look to be finished, but their job has just begun. They have a new role to play, now, to nurture and feed the roots. The leaves provide a valuable resource to the tree. The leaves' past glory now feeds the future for new leaves coming in the spring.
Our role may not be as glorious as it was before, but you and I still have a purpose in society. Use your leaves, your past, to help feed others. Encouraging others is fertilizer for the soul. Truett Cathy, founder of Chick-fil-A once asked, "How do you know if someone needs encouraging?" His reply: "If he is alive." This is one reason I started the Planting to Grow newsletter: To share with others and encourage our communities to grow into better and more productive places. Studies show that people feel and work better, crime drops, and quality of life increases in areas where people take time to landscape. Be glorious in your life today. Continue to encourage others and nurture them from your past experiences. Get outside and do a little work in the yard. It is great therapy.