Growing Daffodils.

While visiting a friend the other day, I noticed they had a rectangular plant pot outside which was full of healthy, tall daffodils. I have not seen so many together in a group like that. The plants were touching each other and the look of them being together made a strong impression, rather than the typical isolated daffodil, struggling by itself.

Grouping - Peers
The grouping of the bulb plants got me thinking about how others in our lives can make an impact. The wonderful support the flowers/plants got from fellow plants reminds me of the benefits of having support from fellow co-workers. Having colleagues in your life/environment keeps to you straight and some healthy competition to reach higher than if by yourself. Coworkers are a type of people that would be very beneficial in your life.

Snails - Negativity
Sometimes there maybe a few situations or individuals in your environment that seem to suck life right out of you, these people tend to depend on you more than the majority. These people could be like pests on daffodils, slowly munching away, the plant can support one snail, but if there are a few the snails snacking they will deprive the plant of its own health and growth. Be aware of how many "dependents" you have in your life, it is damaging to try to support hundreds.

Fertilizer - Mentor
I want to finish up with a rare breed of person, if you can find one of these you will no doubt have some success in your life. This person is a senior mentor; someone wise and regularly devotes time and energies purely for yourself. These people are like powerful fertilizer... they can just add so much to you, help you grow + encourage you. Mentors hopefully care about you and offer guidance and also stretch you to grow to your potential. Using fertilizer is very intentional, it is something planned. Can I encourage you to be intentional in finding a mentor for yourself. Locate someone who has the best for you at heart, they can push you and keep you accountable.

Planting Instructions
Be aware of things that steal your energy, avoid situations or people draining you by creating healthy boundaries for yourself. Evaluate your environment and make sure you have peers around you for support and encouragement. Go out of your way to locate fertilizer, and don't be afraid to use it every month or so to get maximize growth and strength.

Blessings,

Akita.
1-8-07

To view past editions of Thrive, click: THRIVE editions

Ephesians 5 v 15-16

Be very careful, then, how you live -
not as unwise but as wise,
making the most of every opportunity,
because the days are evil.

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Akita Olsen
Email: olsens@westnet.com.au

Bunbury Vineyard Church.
PO Box 1475, Bunbury,
WA 6231, Australia.
www.bunburyvineyard.org.au

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