Gardening requires diligence. Plants need regular watering, and each year I enrich the soil with nutrients. The care I give to the plants encourages the growth of weeds, too. I frequently examine my garden for weeds and remove them. Mentally, I commit to the same practice.
Like a garden, keeping my mind active and creative requires diligence.
I seek new opportunities to challenge my thoughts. By reading, watching television, or listening to the radio, I feed myself new information. Digesting the information is like enriching the soil. The rumination that follows is similar to the act of tilling.
From this, new ideas and thoughts grow. However, I am wary of the weeds: stray, unwanted, and unhealthy thoughts. The weeds can choke out the growth I want. I am quick to remove the weeds, maximizing the potential growth of everything I planted.
Sometimes a weed remains hidden, living long enough to flower. The flower is pretty, but the weed is detrimental to the plants.
Like a misleading thought that appears advantageous, it is pretty in bloom, but bears no other benefit.
Today, I think about the areas in my mind which have been tended to the least. By attending to these areas, I ensure that the entire garden within my mind continues to grow with vitality and bear the best possible fruits.
Self-Reflection Questions:
- What are some thoughts comparable to weeds?
- How do I ensure these thoughts do not attempt to regrow?
- What are my primary sources of ‘brain nutrients?’
