What Are You Cultivating?

Have you ever seen the scrolling bar on Facebook? You know, the one that shows you what all your friends are doing minute by minute. Now don't get me wrong, I am not bashing the site, I love it, but it makes me wonder if our automation has become a quick fix to the way things use to be. For instance, we use to reach out to our friends and loved ones by calling them on the phone or writing them a letter. Now we say, "Happy Birthday!" at the click of a button and our work is done. We didn't take the time to go to the store to find a birthday card that said exactly how we felt for that person. We can even get our gifts at the click of a button! Have we let society create an automatic way for us to handle everything?

I had the distinct please of being a co-host on a talk show last night, and surprising enough the guest on the show was saying that we don't cultivate our relationships anymore. He went on to say also, that this is the reason why so many marriage are failing and the institute of marriage is no longer valued.

So I ask you, have you cleared away the weeds in your garden? Have you created an environment for growth or have you left an automated watering system in your garden to do all the things you don't want to do? Marriage is a tough job. There is no boss, only a team. The team has to learn to work together in order for the RELATIONSHIP to flourish. Have you spent quality time this year? Do you plan to spend quality time or will you just send a general wish via the internet?

In all your relationships, personal or professional, think of GROWTH. Take the time to work as a team player and see what buds begin to form and bloom.

As John D. Marshall puts it:

Cultivating requires thought, work, and patience. For example, a gardener has to think about what to plant, when to plant it and how to nourish the seed. The ground must be prepared, weeds pulled and tenderness offered to yield growth. Marriage is the same way. There are not easy fixes, but growth can happen with a commitment to follow through.

Happy Cultivating!