Idea Seeds

Ideas are like seeds, blowing about in the wind.

When you’re struck by one, you have two options:

1. Ignore the seed.

2. Plant the seed (and if you plant the seed, you needs must nurture the seed—for there are few greater shames than an idea planted into oblivion).

Seeds need water, nutrients, sweet sunshine, and time to mature.

Ideas need consistent effort and attention, plenty of patience and time to mature.

Alas, we humans are notoriously impatient—often quick to cast aside blooming ideas well before they mature, even if there are obvious signs of growth and progress.

Much to my chagrin, I’ve been guilty of this hasty abandonment in the past—with two projects in particular that, in hindsight, showed signs of great potential.

How I wish I hadn’t done so… How I wish I hadn’t planted those projects into oblivion.

Instead, I bought into the misguided belief that I needed to be creating something new, rather than  watering, pruning, and nourishing the promising seeds before me.

So to the creative in you, if I may offer a piece of advice from my experience:

Whatever idea you wish to bring—or are bringing—into the world…

Don’t stop nourishing your seedling.

(Unless you’re absolutely convinced you no longer want to pursue the idea, or there are very obvious—and these will be painful—reasons for why you should stop.)

Even if you don’t feel like you’re seeing the progress you want, don’t stop.

Even if you feel like nobody cares or is paying attention, don’t stop.

Even if you feel lost, confused, and aimless, don’t stop. 

Instead, in your moments of inevitable doubt, seek to gain an objective perspective, however you need to—be that hiring a relevant expert who can guide you, asking a trusted friend for their opinion, or embarking upon a psychedelic adventure.

In many cases, ideas only need refinement to prosper, or an alteration in their care.

You never know what will arise if you keep creating whatever makes your heart sing.

And there’s only one way to find out.

With love from the forest,

~ Alexander