What Are Your Words?

"Words mean more than what is set down on paper. It takes the human voice to infuse them with deeper meaning." - Maya Angelou

Picture courtesy of Endot via Compfight

If there's one thing that I quickly learned as a newbie gardener years ago, it was how important words are. Specifically, if you want to find a particular plant you had better know the exact Latin name or you could end up with the wrong plant. In the plant collector world this small error could cost you a whole lot of money! You could also end up with a plant that creeps and takes over your garden. Words are important. The right words even more so.

Plants have a common name - Lilac, and a Latin name - Syringa. Despite a year of Latin in school I try to stick with the common name because I can pronounce it! The Latin name for a plant is it's botanical name and it has two words. The first word is the "genius" which describes a plant's flowers, leaf arrangement, or growth habit. The second word is the "species". This describes a plant's particular attributes, habitat, or maybe unique characteristics. If you want to sound like a cool swag gardener - learn Latin and how to properly pronounce fancy plant words.

Not long ago I was soul searching. I identified two words that describe my focus and my personal drive in life. I use these two words to remind myself who I am and what I strive for in all areas of my life. They have become my mantra. My words are:

GRIT  & GROWTH     

                                                                                                

Why these two words? Simple. Grit means to have courage, a strong strength of character, a "sticktuitiveness", and hanging in there for the long haul despite challenges. Growth means to progress, develop, bloom, grow internally, and progress. You really can't have one without the other. They are co-dependent and work as a team.

What GRIT helps me with:

• Courage to stay on course while facing adversity
• Follow through, focus
• Creativity
• Optimism and positive attitude
• Achieve goals and confidence
• Seek excellence even though it may take practice and time

What GROWTH does for me:

• Inspires my curiosity
• Drives my passion to learn
• Pushes me to constantly improve and become a better person
• Measures my accomplishments
• Never lets me be content with the status-quo
• Keeps my propensity to get bored away
• Defines who I am
• Encourages me to help others find their passion and desire to grow

Photo courtesy of Hadock via Compfight

"People may hear your words but they feel your attitude" - John C Maxwell

What are YOUR words? Please share your mantra......