Encouragement (for Life as well as the Garden)

Gardening and Life – Walk in the Direction You Want to Go

No matter how good conditions are, everyone experiences problems and difficulties in some form. Sometimes they’re worse than others.

If you’re like me, you probably feel that the regular day to day problems are plenty. And you’re not interested in having any major difficulties or challenges.

It’s odd, because most of what I have and am able to do are a result of going through major problems that I didn’t like going through at the time. And more often than not, I had a rotten attitude to boot.

Nonetheless, I still don’t want major problems! But life can hand them to us anyway.

Facing a MAJOR Challenge with a Different Attitude

Currently, Bill and I are going through one of life’s MAJOR challenges. As a matter of fact, I would say it is the worst in our life so far. I don’t like it. It threatens to change our life as we know it. Currently, it’s too emotionally charged to discuss details with everyone, but when all is said and done, I’ll share more.

There is a difference however, in the way I’m facing this challenge. I’ve learned a few things over the years that make me determined to face this challenge with a much better attitude, in spite of the seriousness of the problem, than what I exhibited many years ago. AND, I’m determined NOT to use this challenge as an excuse not to accomplish things.

I think that’s a pit fall most of us fall prey to. The problem consumes us and we think of nothing else and therefore we don’t do as much as we could do.

Gloom and Doom?

One thing I learned the hard way is that it doesn’t do one bit of good to take a gloom and doom approach. (Over the years, I’ve taken that approach many times.) Even if you feel that way with all your heart, it only makes things worse.

We Think and Our Bodies Follow

We all tend to gravitate towards what we constantly think of. Bottom line is: you’ve got a lot better chance in any circumstances of having a more positive outcome if you’re headed in that direction. If you’re headed towards doom and gloom, it’ll increase your chances for a doom and gloom outcome.

Walking in the Direction You Want to Go

Walk in the direction you want to go even if physical circumstances look as if that outcome would be impossible.

Walk in the direction you want to go even if you think in your heart you really won’t get there.

Making the Point

You have a much better chance of reaching a destination in the north, if you’re headed north. It would be pretty hard to arrive at a northern destination by walking south.

This principle (fundamental truth/universal truth) will apply to just about every area of life I can think of. It applies to all problems, difficulties, and challenges whether great or small.

Final Thoughts

Whether it’s your garden or one of life’s most difficult challenges, you’ve got a better chance of reaching your desired outcome if you’re headed in that direction.

Bill and I sure want our challenge to have a good outcome.  To increase our chances, we’re walking towards what we want it to be.

Related posts:

Never Underestimate the Power of a Little

Decide What You Want and Do It

Your Focus Will Determine Your Outcome and Lifestyle

Focus on What you Can Do

_______

All content including photos is copyrighted by TendingMyGarden.com.  All Rights Reserved.

19 Comments

  • Theresa,
    sounds like a very serious and heavy subject…possibly related to health. I wish to pass along my support to you and Bill. Warmest prayers for healing.

  • Theresa –

    You have a magnificent outlook on life. Your thoughts here are very inspiring. Good thoughts to remember.

    My heart and thoughts go out to you and your family. I hope that all goes well — and that you do indeed have a good outcome to your challenge.

  • Theresa

    You have given so much love to your readers, may blessings and love come back to you. I very much appreciate your gardening and life advice and want you to know that you and your problem are in my prayers.

  • Dear Theresa,

    So sorry to hear of the major challenge Bill and you are facing. I will hold a space for you both in my prayers. One thing I know…you are one determined woman and have exactly the right attitude for whatever lies ahead.

    You inspire me to get out there and do what I can every day.

    Peace,

    Gail

  • Dear Theresa,
    I’m so sorry to hear that you and your husband are going through hard times. I want you to know that I’ll be keeping you both in my thoughts and prayers. You have truly been an inspiration to me. I know that you will come out on top of these difficulties.
    Susan

  • Your post took my breath away. God bless and help you two through tough times.
    Mr. Tomatohead

  • I am going through chemo for breast cancer, and I have been blessed so many times in this journey by my Lord and Savior! There have been a few times I have been in the pit of despair, but the Lord has always rescued me before I could wallow. I find joy in every day and am smiling my way through chemo! God bless you!

  • Knowing this, and then putting it into practice in the midst of the challenge takes much deliberate focus and a lot of effort. Love you Theresa.

  • Theresa,
    My heart is with you and Bill. I very much agree that all of the love and inspiration you have given for so many years will come back to you.

    Sending strength and encouragement,
    Toni

  • Yes! Walk in the direction you want to go! That is the way of faith, and it can move mountains. But I know it is difficult to remain focused when everything you see and hear is speaking a different message to you. I pray your faith will be magnified in and through this trial! I will be thinking of you!

  • Hi Theresa,
    Remember me? I’m the guy who was deciding whether or not to commit to my heavy clay soil in the ground or to continue to use only store bought materials in raised beds.
    Well we wanted to expand to three such beds so store bought was out of the question. Three months ago we added 5″ of horse manure and made my own compost for another 4″. we tilled it in as deeply as possible over a 12’x20′ area. We ended up with about a foot of seemingly transformed soil all fluffed up. Then we divided the area into raised beds by shoveling walkways out and putting that soil onto the new bed areas (three 4×8 beds). They have settled down to 14″ deep now.

    My question is about my soil test results. My organic matter % is 23.4% Is this good, bad, too high?
    Also, my phosphate was low. It says to add .5 lbs. per 100 sf of 0-46-0. How can we do this all organically?
    The test also recommended adding UREA at the same rate. How can we do this all organically?
    I am totally excited thinking of Spring and a chance to see what the garden will teach me.

    Thanks,
    Bill Ahlborn

  • Theresa,
    Had to show you these photos!
    facebook.com/rosanna.bencoach/posts/10206085611283096?notif_t=like
    I’m in Quinton VA (western New Kent County). 23141.

    Didn’t spend anything on this other than for the 9-pack of plants in late summer. Replanted where other things were for spring/summer. Would have to look for the label for the variety. The containers were ones I already had, just stacked and not being used, so I decided to put them to use, covering once the temperature dipped near freezing, and at first, uncovering when the weeks were warmer. And, weighing them down. Also have one under the tunnel (with snap peas, that don’t seem to have survived). Haven’t checked or vented that in awhile, but it’s still up right as seen through the tunnel.

    Rosanna

  • Hi Bill
    23.4% organic matter is extremely high. It is mostly recommended to have organic matter in a vegetable garden at 4 to 6%.

    Regarding your other questions, I’d have to know a lot more about your situation to answer you properly.

    In my post https://tendingmygarden.com/soil-test-the-pros-and-cons/ and in my book I mentioned that I do not recommend using the majority of labs for soil tests because they are geared towards conventional agriculture which means they have a chemical mindset. Thus, they recommend chemicals.

    I suggested two minority labs to use that would give you the help you needed to read and organically make the corrections your soil needs.

    Rosanna, nice looking cabbages!

    Theresa

  • Sorry to hear you are in these major changes and prayers for a good outcome, Theresa. I have succumbed to weight of changes at times, because I am weak. Being alone it is easy to forget how to stay positive sometimes. Despite your troubles, you inspire positivity. Thank you for that.

    I finally got back here…Haven’t been around for awhile…Last summer my computer gave out so I was offline for quite a bit. Now that I have a new one, and an iMAC which I am getting used to, and the time of the year to start to think garden, I found you again.

Leave a Comment