Living life as a human being is, in many ways, the same as living life as any other species in Mother Nature’s world.

Whatever emotion I fertilize will grow with the same enthusiasm as any seed planted in the ground. Emotions are the soil in which my ideas or seeds get planted. The Bible says if I plant a seed in sandy soil, it will not grow. If the seed lands in good soil while the ground is full of weeds, the weeds will consume the nourishment, and the good seed will wither. If I place my idea in fertile soil and spend the energy to discard the weeds, it will grow to its full potential and benefit everyone around it.

How do I start any idea or plan that enters my head? First, I take quiet time to ask God for guidance and strength. The Serenity Prayer is a good starting place. I’ve had many good thoughts that I figured would save the world and make me rich, but I only saw them fail miserably. During those times when I spend time asking for God’s help, the answer comes from a small voice somewhere within. If the idea involves personal gain, I know I am planting the seed in the sand. My motivation cannot be self-serving. When it comes to wealth, no matter how much I have, there is always room for more. If things turn sour and I lose something I never had, I will be sad and depressed. Money could be a better motivator. I know more poor people who are happy than rich ones.

When my heart is in the right place, with any plan, the plan will be a success. Even if the outcome isn’t what I wanted, the plan will still succeed because I have learned something.