All about weeds!

Spring is in the air, I'm sure you've felt it.  The days are lengthening, the birds are courting, and those of us with gardens and window-boxes will soon be immersing our hands in the soil.

Which leaves me with a question . . . what would you say is a weed?

As I'm sure you'll agree, strictly speaking there's no such thing as a weed.  Every plant on earth demonstrates the wonderful diversity of creation.  Every plant has its own intricate beauty, the design of every plant is unique.

So, why should we call one unfortunate plant a weed?
Only because, in the opinion of the human concerned, this plant is growing in the wrong place.  A matter of bias rather than fact.
And, who knows, a so-called weed might well be a prized source of nectar in the eyes of a discerning bee.

Yet weeding is something we humans are doing with ever greater enthusiasm . . . and our weeding is not restricted to the plant kingdom.

Have you noticed the amount of social weeding going on recently?

Loudly proclaiming the rightness of our cause, we weed out faiths, nationalities, political persuasions, gender and social strata.  Increasingly we choose to ignore the fact that humanity, when mutually supportive, can become a peaceful, verdant landscape.

The exclusion of any one sector, by declaring it an unnecessary or troublesome weed, creates areas of wasteland that damage the integrity and unity of the whole.
Our critical weeding is doing us harm.

Mind you, if our long-suffering planet was feeling judgemental, it might well describe the human race itself as little more than a troublesome and unwanted weed.

Just think about if for a moment . . .  we bear all the hallmarks of a weed.
We are rampant, invasive and detrimental to the well-being of ourselves and all other living species.  To add to our misdemeanors, our thoughtlessness is fast changing the climate.

Might it be wise to change our ways before the Earth decides to undertake some serious weeding?
After all, let's admit it . . .  we need this planet,  it doesn't need us!

Good news is good for you!

In a world of great uncertainty, there's one thing I know with absolute conviction . . . and I'm confident you'll agree with me.
What is it?
It's the simple fact that bad news is bad for you.

Whether it be 'fake bad news' or 'genuine bad news' doesn't matter . . . the effect is the same.
We absorb it and are instantly captured by apprehension.
 Our creativity dries up, our hopes disappear . . . we are rendered fearful and incapable.

As for good news, this is wholly beneficial . . . being inspirational, invigorating and sustaining.

To demonstrate what I mean, let's carry out a short experiment.
Look closely at the picture below .  . .

First of all, focus on the scene of mayhem and destruction on the left . . . did you feel a constriction in your chest, a sense of horror and helplessness?

Now, switch your attention to the alternative view on the right . . . did your shoulders relax?  Did you find yourself smiling, your breath easing in appreciation of the peace and harmony?

If you need further proof of the benefits of a positive approach, this was clearly illustrated this month in an inspirational address given to the United Nations by Canada's Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau.

"When faced with citizens' anxiety," he declared, "we have a choice to make, do we exploit that anxiety or do we allay it?  Fear has never created a single job, or fed a single family."

If it does you good to read those words, I can assure you that you'll feel even better if you hear them spoken.  Click here for a short extract from the speech . . . you'll be strengthened and empowered by its positivity.

Good news is good for us, and good news also gives rise to gratitude . . . which, as we all know, is 'the key to joy'.
So, thank you, Justin Trudeau!