Centuries ago a man in the East took up gardening on his small estate. Eventually, he became a proficient gardener producing some of the most beautiful plants and flowers in his community. However, one aspect of gardening frustrated him: the constant presence of growing weeds. No matter what he did, no matter how much weeding he engaged in, they came back stronger than ever.
Unable to bear the presence of weeds in his garden he visited with a member of a King’s royal garden staff. He listened patiently and took careful notes as the royal gardener offered him a variety of methods for dealing with weeds. Pleased with his new knowledge, the man returned to his estate and applied the principles. Yet, the weeds persisted returning as they always had.
Once again, he visited the royal gardener and explained asking “what else can I do about those weeds?” The royal gardener paused before speaking and then said: “There is only one other thing for you to do: you must learn to love the weeds and treat them well.”
That story is a metaphor for our living. While we may have many admirable qualities, no one of us is free from “weeds” in our lives. As we become aware them it’s easy to become frustrated with ourselves and turn to self-loathing and even self-abuse. The lesson from the gardener applies to life in this way: we must learn to love our ‘weeds’, those flaws, imperfections which make us the unique individuals we are.
Unable to bear the presence of weeds in his garden he visited with a member of a King’s royal garden staff. He listened patiently and took careful notes as the royal gardener offered him a variety of methods for dealing with weeds. Pleased with his new knowledge, the man returned to his estate and applied the principles. Yet, the weeds persisted returning as they always had.
Once again, he visited the royal gardener and explained asking “what else can I do about those weeds?” The royal gardener paused before speaking and then said: “There is only one other thing for you to do: you must learn to love the weeds and treat them well.”
That story is a metaphor for our living. While we may have many admirable qualities, no one of us is free from “weeds” in our lives. As we become aware them it’s easy to become frustrated with ourselves and turn to self-loathing and even self-abuse. The lesson from the gardener applies to life in this way: we must learn to love our ‘weeds’, those flaws, imperfections which make us the unique individuals we are.
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