In these uncertain economic times - many businesses are suffering and learning some painful lessons. The humble fruit tree - has a lot to teach about the abundant life - or being successful (fruitful) in life and business. Consistently fruitful - in and out of season.
1) Being Fruitful (Successful) Requires - Consistency & Patience >>>>>
For a fruit tree to give a good yield - can take up to 20 years. At the 20 year mark an apple tree is just getting into its stride. What an investment of time! And a good lesson for any venture - to be successful and fruitful - takes time and effort, consistency and patience - in all seasons. Gathering good clients and building good relationships takes time. This is the same with any discipline - to get good and be successful takes time. And a good lesson for me in business and gardening, especially in uncertain economic times.
2) Being Fruitful (Successful) Requires -Trust & Faith >>>>>
The fruitfulness of an apple tree is very dependent on the type of season. A fruit tree is dependent on enough water, sun and nutrients and the timing of frost etc. We are also dependent on the changing circumstances. With corona virus, so many businesses are forced to adapt or die. Now more than ever we are trusting our local customers to keep supporting us and that takes faith too.
3) Being Fruitful (Successful) Requires - Effective Management - Selection & Focus (Pruning) >>>>>
The structure of an apple tree - is determined by effective pruning - especially in the early stages. There needs to be selection and focus of the trees energy into branches (structure). There must be management of the variety of possibilities - so that the tree does not grow unproductively in many different directions. This is the same with our lives. We must cut off those avenues and pathways that are not conducive to good growth. Promoting those opportunities that lead to good growth and good fruit. There must be investment, effective investment of time, effort and profit back into the right areas for greater returns in future.
4) Fruit - Is A Blessing To Be Shared!
It is perfectly possible to eat all of the harvest personally. But the most effective life or business - needs to share its profit (fruit). There are many birds, insects, animals and people who should benefit from the fruit. In this way the fruit tree - or our own unique life effort - participates in the rich interconnected tapestry of life.
So perhaps one of the most difficult lessons of life - is learning not to hold on too tightly. To have an open hand and heart - to trust and to give to others who really need support and help (fruit).
There is a time in life to harvest and store and be prudent - to be a good steward of the profits of a business or the results of life. But we are in a net of other individuals and businesses. One business must support others, and the favor is returned - creating business and opportunity. Ultimately sharing our harvest is important for refreshing and renewing and sustaining others. With that investment the world goes round and we get to participate in sharing our fruitful harvest - with our community.
Thank you for listening,
With love and blessings - Sage.
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Kingdom Plants - is a small business, with a big heart - to serve you. Winter is here and it is time to get inside and stay warm. To think and dream of our fruitful gardens, to gather in and hibernate. There will be time to look forward and dream and scheme about next years display and harvest. But for now lets enjoy all the little blessings in life. To make the most of life now - in good and bad - corona virus or not.
