2. How's Your Soil?

Listen! A sower went out to sow. –Mark 4: 3

There is an ancient parable about a farmer. One day he goes out to plant his crops. Some of the seed falls on dry ground; it burns in the sun before it has a chance to grow. Some of the seed falls on rocky soil; the plants grow quickly, but without enough good earth they wither in the heat. Some of the seed falls among the thorns; as the shoots emerge from the ground, they choke from not enough light.

But some of the seed falls on good earth. The plants in the rich soil grow tall and produce much grain. The farmer harvests these and feeds on their bounty.

You are like the earth. You can be tired, burned out like dry soil. A person who is dry has used up their precious energy. Doing too much of anything can dry your soil.

You are like the earth. You can be scattered, uneven like rocky soil. A person who is rocky is doing too many things. While you have not burned up your energy, you are not focused. As a result, whatever you do starts well and then ends too soon, incomplete and unfulfilled.

You are like the earth. You can be uninspired, depressed like thorny soil. A person who is thorny does not have the motivation to own their life. While you’re not doing too much, you can’t find the energy. You’re not spread thin, but you don’t know what to do. You get out of bed, but you don’t quite know why.

You are like the earth. You can be energized, focused, and inspired like rich soil. A person who is rich has the drive, the clarity, and the passion to take on challenges, to embrace your goals, and to produce the results that fulfill your life.

The first step to rediscovering your soul is measuring your energy. Every morning, when you wake up, look in the mirror. Observing your face, your body, and your eyes; ask yourself, “How is my soil?” Notice your first response—it is often the truth.

If you are dry, spend this day resting. If you are rocky, simplify your life today—even one less thing to do will begin the healing. If you are thorny, read a favorite author, seek out advice from a mentor or friend, or pray: whatever you can do to rediscover the passion that moves you.

If your soil is rich, live and love with energy and intention: Today yours is a graceful life.

Viewed narrowly, all life is universal hunger and an expression of energy associated with it.
–Mary Ritter Beard

How’s your soil?