Guest Blog: “We are the soil”

Dock Portrait (2)

Dylan Lundgren provides innovative and holistic healing experiences for those in recovery; using mind, body and spirit elements such as yoga and meditation. He currently works with different treatment centers and sober houses in Southern Florida.

Have you ever tried to plant something in the desert? Neither have
I. The desert is not conducive to growth. Working in addictions
treatment and being sober myself, I’ve often heard the phrase,
“You’re just planting seeds.” That always felt a little off to me.
Over the past few years, it started to click. The quality of the
soil is just as important as the seeds being planted. I can plant
seeds all day long. If I don’t care for the soil I am planting in,
there’s a good chance those seeds won’t grow. This really connected
for me when I heard the story of a man named Ron Finley. He has an
incredible Ted Talk called “A Guerilla Gardener in South Central
LA.” Ron grew up in South Central LA; not the “ideal soil” for
growth. However, in stead of playing the victim, Ron focused on the
small strip of grass between the sidewalk and the street; the patch
of healthy soil that could produce growth. He planted his seeds which
yielded organic vegetables. This is a perfect analogy for the power
of intention, focus, and growth. Whatever our intention, if we shift
our focus to the soil we can grow in, and then take action in that
direction, it’s almost a guarantee we will see results. I remember
when I was struggling with food addiction and I couldn’t get any
lasting results. After a lot of trial and error, I found a group that
shared my intention and held each other accountable to
the disciplines that supported growth in this area. My life
drastically changed in this area and I have never had to return to
that former state of despair with food. To wrap it up, I’d like to
offer 3 questions as an exercise.
1) What’s one area of life you would love to see growth in?
2) What’s the environment or community (tribe) that
currently sets a visible example of this type of growth?
3) What’s an action you can take today that would begin
the process of said growth? (maybe it’s just reaching out to someone)

About Beverly Sartain

Recovery Life Coach who supports Soulful men and women in living a sober, conscious and purpose-driven life.

8 Comments

  1. debbie f on April 2, 2016 at 10:03 pm

    Very nice blog, and an excellent reminder for me today. My current struggle is overcoming paralyzing anxiety, and the soil I’m planting it in comes from the bag of Worst Case Scenario. I need to switch to the bag that says Most Likely Realistic Outcome Based on Actual Facts, Not Fears. Thank you for the gentle reality check.

  2. Dorinda Flint on April 4, 2016 at 6:47 pm

    I greatly enjoyed reading, and relating to this Blog.

  3. Dylan Lundgren on April 5, 2016 at 1:17 pm

    I’m glad that helped Debbie! Feel free to post your updates/progress. Would love to hear how that new soil works out for you;)

  4. Beverly Sartain on April 5, 2016 at 2:29 pm

    Intention has always been a powerful tool for me. When I was using, I was intending to disconnect. Now, I intent to connect with myself, with Higher Self and with other people. I’ve been using the tool for many years now. Most recently, I was able to achieve a financial goal in a short amount of time because of my intention, focus and diligence using my tools. My soil feels fertile for whatever thought I put into it. I intent do grow transformation, prosperity and joy in my soil.

    • Dylan Lundgren on April 5, 2016 at 2:33 pm

      Most recently, I was able to achieve a financial goal in a short amount of time because of my intention, focus and diligence using my tools. – I had the same experience recently;)

      • Beverly Sartain on April 5, 2016 at 9:59 pm

        That’s amazing! What tools did you focus on? I love comparing “notes.”

        • Dylan Lundgren on April 7, 2016 at 3:10 pm

          Ditto;) Meditation/Visualization are always a part of my toolkit. Being held accountable and getting feedback/a good mirror from a trusted ally; that’s also part of it. Those are the 3 main ones that come to mind.

          • Beverly Sartain on April 8, 2016 at 12:06 am

            Great tools!



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