Wisdom from the Farm: What I’ve Learned from the Strawberry Patch, Part 1: Change!

Copyright 2014 Artisans Workshop Designs

 

About a month ago, my CSA shares for the 2015 season began at the Farm. I like the pick-your-own portion of the farm shares, even though it can be hot and tiring work; it gets me out in Nature and it gives me a chance to slow down and to think. Oftentimes picking in the fields becomes a metaphor for life. And this year in the strawberry patch has been no different.

Two weeks ago was the peak of the strawberry season. Plenty of juicy red and ripe strawberries were in easy reach and shareholders were able to quickly fill their 4-quart limit. I settled in an area and began picking. It just so happened that several of the strawberry plants had rotten or nibbled berries so I shifted over a few steps. I took my time thoroughly searching through the plants so I didn’t any of the deliciously ripe fruit.

But I kept coming across the patch of rotten and nibbled berries!

I thought I was moving away from them, but obviously I wasn’t. I kept finding myself rummaging through them looking for the good berries. And there weren’t any!

Finally I changed to a completely new area a couple of rows over. This did the trick! I was finally free of those rotten strawberries!

This got me to thinking….

When we’re working toward our dreams, how many times do we hit a rough patch and we never really move on? We think we’re changing things up and trying different things but we keep coming back to the rotten stuff.

That’s telling us several things:

(1) perhaps we really aren’t doing things differently at all, we’re just fooling ourselves into thinking we are;

(2) maybe we aren’t being radical or outrageous enough in doing things differently—we have to push the edge of the envelope much farther;

(3) possibly it’s time to move on and away—totally change everything—abandon (for the time being) the course we’re on.

Copyright 2014 Artisans Workshop Designs

Your homework today is to take the next step. And, if you keep running into “rotten” or “nibbled” things then take a step in a totally new and unexpected direction. Do something different; make a radical change.

You can do it little bit by little bit. That will still help you work your way out of the tough patch, as long as you consistently take little bits and pieces of steps.

You can do it, I’m sure of it!

I’m so proud of you!

Your Friend and Pep Pal,

Lauren

Overnight Success?

Copyright 2015 Artisans Workshop Designs

 

The elevator to success is out of order. You’ll have to use the stairs… one step at a time. – Joe Girard

 

Overnight success is extremely rare. The media would have you believe otherwise, but their take on it is not true. The truth is that success and achieving your dreams takes time. There are many factors that determine how long it’ll take you to achieve your dreams but you can be certain it won’t happen overnight.

Success and achieving your dreams happens by taking one step at a time and consistently doing this over time, for as long as it takes.

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Your homework is to take the next step. Break it into the smallest increments that you need so that you’ll do them. Then make sure you do them—consistently!

You can do it!

I’m proud of you for keeping at it—yay you!

Your Friend and Pep Pal,

Lauren

A Perfect Day to Take a Break

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Periodically, you have to step back and relax; take a break. It’s an important step on the pathway to your dreams.

 

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Your homework today is to do something fun, relaxing, indulgent. Share it with someone special. Enjoy!

You can do it, I know you can!

I’m so proud of you!

Your Friend and Pep Pal,

Lauren

Who Are You Listening To?

Copyright 2014 Artisans Workshop Designs

 

 

The number one reason people fail in life is because they listen to their friends, family, and neighbors. ~Napoleon Hill

 

Even if you have a very supportive team of friends and family who want the best for you and do everything they can to help you and cheer you on, at the end of the day you still have to follow where your heart and soul are leading you.

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Your homework today is to tune into your heart and soul. Where are they leading you, in what direction are they pointing? Is it a different route than where your loved ones think you should be headed?

Are you hesitating or have you stalled in your forward progress?

The way to start moving forward again is to break the steps into small pieces and little parts. Break those into tiny bits. Keep breaking things down until you get to the little smidgens that are just right for you. Then do them!

You can do it!

I’m so proud of you!

Your Friend and Pep Pal,

Lauren

Review Your Week: Lose the Fear

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To live a creative life, we must lose our fear of being wrong. ~Anonymous

 

Adding to today’s quote: we must also lose our fear of making mistakes, looking stupid, being laughed at, and our friends and family not “getting it” as we go for our dreams.

In order to achieve your dreams, you must listen to the Still Small Voice within and follow the whisperings and urgings of your heart and soul.

http://www.publicdomainpictures.net/view-image.php?image=1961&picture=pot-of-gold and Artisans Workshop Designs

Your homework today is to review your week. Pay attention to where you are allowing yourself to be influenced by others, causing you to either half-heartedly pursue your dreams or to not pursue them at all. What can you do in this upcoming week to begin to change this?

Remember to note the steps, and bits of steps, you are taking. Notice the progress you’re making, no matter how small or humble. It all counts; it all adds up!

Yay you! Celebrate your progress!

You can do it!

I’m so proud of you!

Your Friend and Pep Pal,

Lauren

When the Past Calls You

 

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When the past calls, let it go to voicemail, believe me, it has nothing new to say. –Anonymous

 

To take this quote one step further: if you accidentally pick up the call, HANG UP IMMEDIATELY! Nothing good will come of the conversation so do not let it begin.

The past has nothing to offer that will benefit your current life so let go of it. Clinging to the past cannot enhance the present. Staying focused on the past does not add anything to the present and it doesn’t help you move forward into the future.

And if you find that the past keeps calling, even after you keep hanging up on it, then CHANGE TO AN UNLISTED NUMBER!

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Your homework today is let the past stay in the past. Leave it there. Put your hope and faith in moving forward into the future. Today, right now, take the next step. Break it into small pieces and little parts. Break those into smaller and smaller increments until you get to the tiny bits that are just the right size for you. Then do those bits!

You can do it!

I’m so proud of you!

Your Friend and Pep Pal,

Lauren

Time Marches On

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Time will pass no matter what you do or don’t do. Whether you go for your dreams or not, time will keep on marching. Whether you live the life of your dreams or not, time will keep moving forward. Whether you are ready or not, time will not pause and it will not wait for you.

Because time does not wait, you shouldn’t either.

Copyright 2014 SweetDoll Designs

Your homework is to keep pace with time by being relentless in taking the next step or part of a step. It doesn’t matter how small the increment, all that matters is that you take it; you move forward bit by bit.

You can do it!

I’m so proud of you!

Your Friend and Pep Pal,

Lauren

Foolproof Way to Conquer Fear

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Inaction breeds doubt and fear. Action breeds confidence and courage. If you want to conquer fear, do not sit home and think about it. Go out and get busy. ~Dale Carnegie

 

Fear feeds on itself and creates more fear. It spawns doubt and indecision. That breeds lack of confidence which can lead to confusion.

The best antidote to fear and its related emotions is taking action. Whether you are sure of what you’re doing and where you’re going or if you have absolutely no clue, take action. Do something—anything.

Taking action shakes things loose, gives you a different vantage point on your dreams, and helps you see opportunities that were hidden when you allowed fear to freeze you in place.

http://www.publicdomainpictures.net/view-image.php?image=9643&picture=kayakers

Your homework today is to take the next step. Break it into pieces that are small enough so they are comfortably doable for you. It doesn’t matter if those little pieces are tiny, microscopic jots or if they are big strides. Whatever feels right and comfortable for you is the right size.

It doesn’t matter what anyone else does because they are not working on your dream—you are. You are the one working on your dream so it’s up to you to decide what’s comfortable and what’s doable.

Remember: stringing enough comfortable and doable jots and tidbits together will get you to your dreams!

So conquer fear by taking the next step!

You can do  it!

I’m so proud of you!

Your Friend and Pep Pal,

Lauren

Father’s Day: Thanks, Dad!

Copyright 2015 Artisans Workshop Designs

 

I apologize for the delay in posting this last week.  I had last minute planning to do for Dad’s memorial service that took place this past weekend.  Even though this Father’s Day message is late, it’s heartfelt and goes out to all fathers and men who are father figures.

 

Thank you, Dad!

Your homework today is to appreciate the men in your life who do their best to support and encourage you.

When you need it, they are there to reach out a helping hand, they point you in the right direction, and they give you a little boost to get you going.

Whether they are your biological dad or not, thank them for what they’ve done–and may be continuing to do–for you.

Thanks, Dad!

Your Friend and Pep Pal,

Lauren

Make Time

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If you don’t make the time to work on creating the life you want, you’re eventually going to be forced to spend a LOT of time dealing with a life you DON’T want. – Kevin Ngo

 

Believe it or not, it’s a simple thing to create the life you want: All you have to do is to take one step—or piece of a step—at a time. Do that long enough—consistently and persistently enough—and you WILL achieve your dreams—the life you want.

http://www.publicdomainpictures.net/view-image.php?image=118008&picture=jumping-people

Your homework today is to take the next step! Break it into small pieces and little bits. Break those down into smaller and smaller increments until you get to the tiny tidbits and jots that are just the right size for you. Then do them, and keep doing them! Soon, you’ll be living the life of your dreams!

Yay you!

You can do it, I know you can!

I’m so proud of you!

Your Friend and Pep Pal,

Lauren