It can be frustrating and discouraging not to see immediate results for the efforts we put in and out in the world. However, if we understand that this ‘lag’ is simply part of the process [of Life], it will be much easier to develop the patience we need to peacefully and hopefully await the fruits of our labors.
We can learn a lot about this ‘lag’ by looking at a seed’s process and strategy for growth into a mature (i.e. reproducing) plant. To start, if conditions are not ideal then the seed may not even sprout, let alone grow. Similarly, when we are attempting to bring, or manifest, anything into our lives we must make sure that the environment and situation we find ourselves in is conducive to the growth of our seed (i.e. intent, idea, dream, or desire).
Just as seeds, seedlings, and plants need [relatively] stable environments and continuous inputs of resources (i.e. water, sunlight, nutrients) to grow, so too do our intended manifestations require consistent inputs of our time, energy, and resources to grow to maturity. If the intent is less complex – like a non-vascular plant (e.g. moss) – the amount of time, energy, and resources needed to grow it to maturity will be significantly less than what a more complex manifestation would require (e.g. a mango tree).
And if, like an annual plant, the intended manifestation is meant to grow only until it [re]produces (at the end of one growing season), then after one’s goal is reached the physical manifestation of the intent may die away as nutritional and energetic inputs are no longer needed. But if it is more akin to a perennial plant, which grows and reproduces for more than one growing season, then we may have to continue to supply the energy and resources needed for it to keep growing and [re]producing over time.
Though all manifestations require this continuous influx of energy and resources to grow and persist through time, there are a rare few with magic beans that can sprout and grow to maturity in an instant1. This, however, still requires conditions to be ideal and conducive for growth. And a lot more time and energy may be spent on the development of the magic seed as opposed to those that need to spend more time, energy, and resources to grow a plant to maturity.
Another thing to note is whether the seed/plant is native or non-native to the environment it is attempting to grow in. Though there are cases where plants can thrive in non-native environments simply because they have no natural checks or competitors in the area, it may also be the case that growth is hindered because conditions are not naturally suited for the growth of the plant. In these cases, significantly more energy and resources may be needed in order to grow and sustain the plant – as is the case with many non-native plants found in urban yards. This may apply to us when we are attempting to manifest something that is not in alignment with our truth or Highest Good.
In contrast, when we plant a seed in its native environment, or attempt to manifest things aligned with our natural inclinations, passions, and Highest Good (and not just for the sake of producing), we may find that the Universe/Spirits/Source/God seem to work alongside us to help bring our intent to fruition – just as Mother Earth works through the land and climate to facilitate the growth of native plants.
What Mother Earth does with ease, the cultivator does with a bit more effort. But in following our heart and embracing natural cycles of growth (Life) and dormancy (Death), we can more closely emulate the ease of Mother Earth’s sustaining productivity.
For anyone trying to manifest Love on this day or on any other, trust that as long as you put in the effort to cultivate Love within and around you, Love will surely find its way to you (even if it’s not on valentine’s day).
With so much Love,
E <3
- Actual plants like this may not exist in reality but the Spirit of a ‘magic beanstalk’ can be manifested by those who are more magically inclined. ↩︎
