“Watch your thoughts; they become words.
Watch your words; they become actions.
Watch your actions; they become habits.
Watch your habits; they become character.
Watch your character; it becomes your destiny.” — Lao-Tze
How’s your yard? Or your flower garden? Are there any weeds in them?
Weeds are defined as plants that have no value where they are growing, and that grow vigorously. We have many of them both in our yard and our vegetable garden. Without diligent effort, they grow and overtake the things we want to grow (like grass, or tomatoes, or flowers).
Well, how about in your life. Do you have any weeds there? Something that doesn’t provide any value in your life, and grows vigorously? Like a well-manicured lawn that takes time and effort to maintain, our lives are the same way.
Example 1:
Diet and exercise: If you feed your body poor quality food (junk food, processed foods, soda, candy) and don’t get any exercise, what kind of body are you going to have? The weeds here are the poor quality food and lack of exercise, and they began to take over. Maybe you feel lethargic. Maybe you are sick more often. Maybe you have a hard time moving around. In all of these cases, the “weeds” have led to this, and without properly caring for your body, these negatives continue to take over.
Example 2:
Language, thoughts, and actions: For instance, if you continuously think negatively about everything, the negativity “weed” begins to take over not only your thoughts, but is also portrayed in your language and converations. Instead of having an abundance mentality (that of proper care and removal of the weeds of negativity), you develop a scarcity mentality. This all leads to eventually affecting the actions your take (or don’t take) to support the continued growth of this weed.
With proper care of our bodies and minds, we can keep limit the weeds we have growing in ourselves. Just like a yard or garden, though, without continuous care, weeds will come back. They’ll do this in any garden, and they’ll do it in any of our bodies and minds. Just because we are weed-free today, doesn’t mean there are new weeds, or even old weeds, taking sprout.
Be diligent in caring for your body and mind, and you’ll reap the benefits of a life without all the weeds.
that is a great quote. We really need to keep tabs on what we think about dont we.
Thank you for another posting that will help me in my life.
Wow! How appropriate to how I’ve been feeling lately. Need to clear my head of the weeds. The weeds seem to sprout in my writing when I least expect it to or want to.
Need to read more of your blog. Thank you!
I’ve always liked the idea of a garden in our mind. We sure need to “weed” or clear the unwanted thoughts that are hindering the growth of a beautiful mind.
Thanks for sharing,
Evelyn
@Tom — that is a great quote, isn’t it!
@Kim — Your welcome!
@Rachel — We all have some of those weeds I think. Thanks for stopping by!
@Evelyn — I like that a garden in our mind! That’s a great way of saying it.
Ain’t it the truth! And we sure have to be on our toes, cause those thoughts come and go in the blink of an eye.… they grow much, much faster than weeds do!
Hi Lance,
First of all, I love the quote. It’s so powerful! And true!
Secondly, I love the analogy with the weeds. We only get one body and one mind, and it’s our responsibility to take care of them the best we can. Getting rid of all the weeds will ensure we have a long, healthy, and happy life.
Very good quote, Lao-Tze is awesome. I’ll have to check my book, I don’t remember seeing that quote, probably different translation.
It is important to keep in mind that thoughts can be exchanged with emotions in that quote because they equally lead to action.
great post.
fab reminder to me that negative begets negative makes my entire world, well, NEGATIVE.
oh, lance, you’ve officially become my guru. another great post.
Fantastic words!
“A happy person is not a person in a certain set of circumstances, but rather a person with a certain set of attitudes.”
@Davina — Yes, thoughts sure can grow fast, can’t they!
@Barbara — Thanks! And, yes it sure is our responsibility to take care of our mind and body — the way we want to.
@Jarrod — great point about emotions, and one that can get the better of us sometimes.
@MizFit — and we like positive, right…
@Rebecca — Gosh, I’m blushing, thanks for the wonderful compliment!
@Mark — I like that about the importance of attitude — that’s such a big factor in having a happy life!
When we pull out the weeds and dispose of them properly they can become compost for further nourishment. It’s all good!
Lance: I completely agree that just as we check our garden for weeds we need to see where we’re harboring grievances and resentments, failing to forgive, and letting doubt and worry grow roots in our mind. Very nice analogy.
@Tom — Great point on using the weeds as compost for nourishment — I like it!
@Marelisa — Thanks! And yes, some of those things can grow pretty easily if we let them.
I used that quote recently. I love it. This information is so true. It all begins with our thougts that we have the power to change.
Thank you for a great post!!!
@Jennifer — It is a great quote isn’t it? Our thoughts can be weeds or flowers, can’t they — so yes, it begins with our thoughts (hopefully flowers!).
Very good point about the necessity of maintenance. Any mastery we gain over time, though it becomes easier, never truly goes on auto pilot. There does indeed necessitate a constant involvement to keep it alive. I so agree.
Love the quote and the great analogy, Lance!
My husband loves to garden (outdoors) but I prefer this, the internal kind. Right now my garden is in decent shape, due to my watering, weeding and trimming.
In real life I have a brown thumb. (I can even make silk flowers “die.” Yes, it’s been done.) So, I’ll stick to my internal gardening which keeps me plenty busy and satisfied.
@Bamboo Forest — Right, it’s never on autopilot. We have to constantly work at it don’t we?
@Linda — Thanks! I think I have a brown thumb outside too. I’ve been known to kill vegetation that just shouldn’t die! Maybe I should stick to internal gardening too.
I love this. You are right it is so important to get rid of the weeds in our life. I can think of a few that I should pull soon!
@Rachel — Thanks. I have a few weeds I can work on too! We probably all do.
Lance ~
Well said my friend. Simply, We choose our thoughts and our thoughts choose us to create our destiny.
Shilpan
I’m with Rachel. Time to get plucking!!
Dude! Love the angle on this one…The quote is proudly displayed in my office wall! With regards to thoughts, you are totally dead on.
@Shilpan — Thanks, and I like how you’ve summarized it as well.
@Meribeth — Yeah, I need to pluck a little here and there too.
@Chris — That really is a great quote, isn’t it.
This is really great Lance!
The weeding never stops, otherwise they tend to take over.
Thanks Monica! You’re right, we can’t ever stop weeding — or they sure will take over. Thanks for stopping by!