Some "Weeds" of Wisdom For You

Photo by Logan Isbell on Unsplash

“Don’t let the tall weeds cast a shadow on the beautiful flowers in your garden.” 
- Steve Maraboli, Life, The Truth, and Being Free 

The other day I went out to take on one of my most dreaded summer tasks: weeding. This is an activity I have always disliked as it is dirty, time consuming and very hard on my back. Do you feel sorry for me yet?  

Looking at the size of the overgrown weeds, I could not help but scold myself for not getting out there sooner. It is truly incredible how fast and resilient those nasty bad boys are.

I honestly had weeded not long ago. Yet much to my dismay there was still this vast green forest of unwanted foliage staring at me, taunting me, up in my face needing my immediate attention.  

As I was feeling very sorry for myself, I started to think of life applications around weeds and weeding, and realized as much as I would like to think otherwise, we can actually learn a lot from these pesky plants. 
 
In our lives we need to do "weeding" on a regular basis. Taking a moral inventory of what should and should not be in our lives is extremely critical to our personal growth. When we get proactive and responsibly address these “weeds” we are putting ourselves in a much better position to become all that God has created us to be.

​Here are some “Weeds of Wisdom” to consider.  

"Weed of Wisdom #1" 
Weeds grow where we don’t want them to and stifle the true beauty trying to emerge.  

Photo by hans middendorp

How many times have you seen beautiful flowers struggling and unwanted weeds thriving? I’m sorry but what is wrong with this picture?  Weeds like negative things in our lives can take deep root in areas where we are trying to grow in healthy aspects.

For instance, where we are trying to be more physically fit, the weed of unhealthy food choices and inactivity can keep us stuck. We need to look at what is holding us back from thriving in certain areas and make major changes. Sometimes this is a difficult and painful process, but it is very necessary.  

When I was a substance abuse counselor, a client of mine who was caught in the grips of alcoholism one session was sharing his new and "exciting" goal with me. Proudly he declared that he had decided to become a “social drinker” and would strictly limit himself to one or two beers each time he met with friends.  

He did not like it when I told him that with his severe alcohol problem, this was not a viable option for him. The thought of him weeding out alcohol entirely from his life was so terrifying that he thought social drinking would be a good and comfortable compromise.  

To say I burst his bubble would indeed be an understatement.  He was clearly unhappy with me; however, alcohol was such a huge weed in his life. It was literally choking any chance for a healthy life he had. Unfortunately, he just wasn’t ready to recognize it yet.  

"Weed of Wisdom #2"
Weeds have deep roots, and we need to get to the bottom of them and uproot them as soon as possible.

Photo by Sasha Kim

It is not enough to just cut off the tops and hope no one will notice. We can all be guilty of this at times. We try to use the least intrusive methods.  It is more comfortable for us.

An example might be if you are trying to cover up a smoking problem, you spray perfume all around you. This will not cover it. You are truly fooling yourself.

I had to literally wrestle with some real weeds in my backyard garden. I tell you; they did not come out without a fight.  The weeds were huge and were becoming very noticeable.

​It is like that in life as well with our problem areas and struggles. A subtle small habit or activity can seem quite innocent at first, yet before we know it, that issue has a stronghold in our lives. What could have been easily treated, has now become a much more difficult issue to address.  We must get to the root of the issue and not choose a bandaid solution for issues that run deep.

"Weed of Wisdom #3"
Many weeds are quite beautiful, but don’t be deceived as they are still harmful.  

Photo by Dagmara Dombrov

I have received many dandelion bouquets over the years from my sweet students. As they think they are giving me a wonderful bouquet of flowers each time, I have never quite had the heart to tell them differently. I cannot tell you how many times I have found a mug and water and put them on my desk to recognize the love that came behind them.  

Pretty “weeds” in our lives can be difficult for us to see as well. They may be things that we perceive as harmless or they may even be healthy activities, yet our lives may be way off balance.  

​For example, exercising is wonderful, but if you are spending hours at the gym and minutes with your family, something is terribly wrong. Likewise, if you invest much time and energy into keeping a clean house, yet will not respect those who live in it, take a hard look at the situation. Changes are obviously necessary. 

"Weed of Wisdom #4"
Weeding is an ongoing process.

Photo by Kampus Production

As mentioned, you do not weed once and think your job is done.  I truly wish it was that easy. We need to check in on our progress regularly in our areas targeted for growth to ensure we are on track.  

Old habits can creep back slowly just like those troublesome weeds and before we notice it, they are a force to be reckoned with once again.  You do not want to ever let that happen.  Be self aware and honest with yourself to stick with your growth plan.

"Weed of Wisdom #5"
Stay with the flowers.

Photo by Secret Garden

Don’t surround yourself with those who are continuing in the behaviours you are trying to avoid. If you are trying to become less critical, don’t hang out with critical people, or if you are attempting to overcome an addiction, don’t associate with people who are actively involved with what you are trying to avoid.  This clearly makes no sense.

​Likewise, if you are trying to stop drinking, don’t hang out in bars, or if you are trying to eat healthier, don’t frequent the junk food aisles of the grocery store. Some people or settings may need to be weeded out of your life permanently for you to become truly successful.  

People who are winning the victory over their “weeds” and avoid relapse recognize their individual triggers and make a conscious effort to change their routines so they can make better and lasting progress in their recoveries.  

​Making changes can be very difficult. The weeds you need to address may have been a part of your life for years. They may even seem comfortable and familiar to you.  They may in your opinion have been a coping mechanism for a period of time.

You may have the desire, but do not even know how or where to begin. You may lack the proper tools. Well, the good news is you are not alone and I am here to help.

Many people want and need to make changes. God’s words says, “He gives us beauty for ashes, and the oil of joy for mourning.” In other words, God specializes in giving us beautiful flowers in our lives instead of those ugly weeds.  

You are so valuable, and you deserve to bloom in all the beauty that was intended for your life. 
​
If those weeds are especially troublesome perhaps you could also benefit from professional help. Please be open to this option if your situation warrants it. Such options could include addictions counselors, pastoral care workers, marriage and family therapists and self-help groups such as AA or NA. This help can really assist you on your journey of positive change.  

Your journey of positive change begins with the first step. Don’t be afraid to step out in faith. A whole new life awaits you!

So my friend, grab a hat. Go get out your gardening gloves and tools. Prepare to get a little dirty and off you go! Happy "weeding!"

Trust me, when you have the courage to do weeding, you will be amazed at what manifests in your life when all those nasty weeds are a thing of the past. It is a thing of beauty I tell ya! 
 
Right there with you, 
~ Dana 
 
Hebrews 12: 1-2 Therefore since we are surrounded by such a cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders us and the sin that so easily entangles.  And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of our faith.  
 
Little Lesson Learned: Personal weeding is a necessary and healthy process so we can truly grow into the healthy, uninhibited people we were meant to be. 
© 2024, 2nd edition, 1st edition, 2014, Weeds of Wisdom,  littlelessonslearnedbydana ​

Author

​Dana Romualdi is a Canadian elementary teacher, blogger, author, and speaker. She has a passion for helping others and spreading much-needed encouragement. She lives in Canada with her husband and two grown children. When she is not working in the classroom or blogging, she enjoys drinking coffee, watching Netflix and reading great books.

Tags: gardening, weeding, moral inventory, personal growth, getting honest, goal setting