The seeds you plant in your mind are a lot like the seeds you plant in your garden. Good input, good output. If you plant negative thoughts, you will sprout negative outcomes. Plant good seeds, good stuff comes out.
That’s a simple “how to” that you probably know instinctively. Become a positive person by developing a positive outlook. Easier said than done.
But the real question remains: When do you prepare the soil? Some people say you plant a garden in the spring, others say you prepare it when you water it or harvest it. Sometimes you do nothing at all and let it lie fallow.
The answer to when you prepare the soil is always. You're always cultivating the soil. You're always nurturing and preparing it, whether you're watering or sowing or feeding or turning it up or putting manure or coffee beans into it.
Likewise, nurturing the seeds in your mind is a constant, consistent cultivation. Now that doesn’t mean you’re constantly churning positive thoughts. It means that you’re always using the materials — the thoughts — you have with purpose.
For instance, there are times when the leaves start drying out and falling from the trees. At my house, I compost the leaves to create mulch for my garden. I don’t collect the falling leaves when it's sunny or breezy. That would get dust all over the place and have me hacking a lung.
Instead, I collect the leaves when it's raining. Yes, I have had a few neighbors pass me on the street when I’m out collecting leaves in the rain — some I’m sure wondered what in the world is wrong with me. The answer is nothing! I’m collecting the wet leaves when there's no dust and no difficulty breathing. I'm preparing the compost materials for use when it is least difficult. It’s a little messy but it’s my best opportunity to work smart, not hard.
Just like collecting the leaves in the rain, when things are messy in your mind, you have to use the thoughts to prepare future positive outcomes. The silver lining of working in the mess is that you're going to be prepared for the harvest ahead. You're pulling out of the mess the nutrients and elements that will help multiply the later bloom. After a few experiences separating the good stuff from the bad, you know which elements provide value and nutrients to you and which detritus to throw away.
When you’re in the fallow winter of your mind, pick up a book or journal or listen to a good podcast. Plant the seeds in the soil of your mind. It will help you have a full harvest later.