A reflection and a shadow are more than images of oneself, they are a looking glass into the world between worlds and a tool to better understand the worlds we live in every day; the world at home, the world of business, the worlds of others. I like to show the surreal, the abstract, the tragic, and the power of people to make a positive impact on all the worlds we are part of.

 

1. My commandment inspiration is drawn from Mumford and Sons, Thistle and Weeds, the line: "But plant your hope with good seeds, Don't cover yourself with thistle and weeds". This is my business and personal philosophy about handling all relationships.

 

2. "Plant your hope with good seeds..." It is important in all matters that there is more at hand than personal gain. There must also be gain for others, and positive impact on others. When hope is planted with good seeds, they are planted with good intentions for a greater whole, a greater good. People see that. When your business is about more than making money, it attracts people who are inclined to care about others and reciprocate the good seeds they already see planted. All gardeners who walk into the garden will see what kind of seeds were planted, what kind is growing, brewing, and happening. Planting hope with good seeds is about being a good steward, and recognizing good stewardship as something we all play a part in.

"Don't cover yourself with thistle and weeds", I always want to change the line to "Don't cover your soul with thistle and weeds", the soul of an operation, the self, whatever. When the soul shines bright, it attracts bright souls and compels others to strive to match that brightness, it inspires. When the soul dims bleak, it repels others; causes others to see something beneath their respect and best efforts. They will cover themselves in the same thistle and weeds- it's often easier to become part of a mess than trying to clean one up.

Thistle and Weeds can be anything from a toxic environment, bad leadership, perceived corruption or dirt, or a lack of good will.

When people detect a toxic environment, it's easier to find the most immune toxic people and friend up, doing otherwise can make a job tenure unpleasant and/or short lived.

Bad leadership always thinks itself good, and this will reward people who are "Yes Men", stifling the organization or person by sheltering them from improvement that can be derived from criticism.

Perceived corruption will cause people to immediately lose morale, and have no support or desire to be successful on behalf of those they suspect to be corrupt.

Absence of goodness creates a feeling of worthlessness toward the operation or cause, and any work put into it, and compels people to view the business as a negative entity that uses people for profit and discards them. Nobody wants to feel like they're a disposable part of your turnkey.

So, don't cover yourself in thistle and weeds - whatever your audience may view as a thistle or weed. I like to understand thistles as that which causes inefficiency and weeds as that which causes perceived worthlessness.

Plant your hope in good seeds - the hope is the vision behind the work. The good seeds are the work itself, the workplace, the structure, the way business is done. Presence of goodness causes a feeling of importance in the goal, which stimulates a personal desire to be part of the success of the company, or the person. If I tell you I am raising money so I can pay my medical bills, you will scorn me. But if I tell you I am raising money to pay the medical bills of bankrupt veterans, you will find me a saint. There's nothing wrong with wanting to help myself - but that's only value to me. But everyone would feel good about helping bankrupt veterans, that's value for everyone.

 

Good seeds have value to everyone.

I hope the images I shown through the process reinforces what I am saying. The first picture is a swamp, and nobody wants to be part of a swamp.

The second picture is a phantom - you can't really see it, or what it wants, but you can see how it warps the world around itself.

The third is a fallen down building, with bright light shining through, revealing hope - while the situation inside this room is not good, moving forward means stepping into the light, into the hope.

Fourth, I chose to reveal a beautiful autumn, to remind the power of good seeds, seeing the forest over a fallen tree - you step out of this crumbling structure, and into this paradise of good seeds.

Last, I chose thistles in the spring, to drive the point back home:

You need people to believe in you. To believe in your vision. To believe in your work. To believe that you succeeding is a good thing, and would benefit others in a significant way.

When others see you carrying good seeds, it makes them want to carry their own good seeds, and that is what makes a garden the best. When we all contribute our good seeds, and watch over the garden together, because we all understand the greater picture.

What is your garden?

What are your good seeds?