Plant seeds of expectation in your mind; cultivate thoughts that anticipate achievement. Believe in yourself as being capable of overcoming all obstacles and weaknesses.

– Norman Vincent Peale

Here in Southern California, after an extended “June Gloom” of foggy mornings and evenings, we are finally in the dead middle of summer, also known as “the dog days of summer,” which refers to Sirius, the Dog Star that rises and sets with the sun from July to September.  Long spells of hot and/or humid weather can make summer feel like an eternity.  In fact everything feels like it has lost momentum with a sluggish economy, most of Wall Street and the government on vacation and with unemployment still on the rise.  Even my garden is a major mid-summer slump!

Recently, my business coach asked me to come up with an activity that brings me a feeling of accomplishment. I commented that much of what I’ve learned about life has come from my garden and when all else fails to yield a result, I go outside and pull weeds.

Image Credit: Green Beacon Foundation

In addition to being highly unattractive, weeds pull nutrients away from your vegetables, which can affect the health and taste of your homegrown goodies.  I try to pick a few weeds every week to stay on top of them and this gives me a wonderful sense of well-being. I also achieve a sense of well-when tending to my inner garden.  “What is an inner garden?”  you may ask.

An inner garden is a timeless metaphor for that delicate place in your soul of self-cultivation and spiritual growth, which if properly maintained, will bear fruits such as courage, hope, love, endurance, joy and peace.

Green Beacon Basics for Inner Garden Tending:

1)    Begin by weeding out any negative thoughts and bad habits that no longer serve you. Plant seeds of (positive) expectation in your mind.

2)   Fertilize your soul by aligning yourself with people who share your same core values and who are genuinely happy.

3)   Just like plants, we require daily nutrients of daily sunshine, air, and water so go outside, play or exercise, breathe in the fresh air and always remember to stay hydrated.

As you become more and more familiar with your inner garden and how to properly tend to it, you will find that the dog days of summer will seem to go by faster and become more enjoyable.  Dig deep and I promise, you will yield immeasurable results!

Image Credit: Green Beacon Foundation