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First, prepare the ground.

It must have the conditions  

for the proper flourishing

of a variety of seeds.

As a matter of fact, back up.

Familiarize yourself with the seeds.

Find out as much about each of them

as possible.

Where are they from?

Are they transplants or natives?

Do they need lots of warmth,

Or do they like to stay out of the light.

Do they need space to grow,

Or need something to grow on?

Do they need constant care

or are they resilient by nature, self-starters.

You must be willing to get your hands dirty.

You must be patient.

You may not see results right away.

Not all of them will show signs of growth

at the same time.

But you must never, under any condition,

lose hope.

Know that you may have ones

who are not suited to the environment

you have created.

At least not right now.

They may not respond,

yet.

Do not blame the seed!

Do not be angry at where it came from.

There is no return policy.

Every day, speak encouraging words,

remove the dried up parts, and

get really close to look for signs of life.

They need to feel your presence,

your soft voice whispering close by.

Have the courage to transplant those

who are ready,

to bigger spaces.

Don’t worry if at first they wilt.

They will bounce back.

Give them room to grow. 

Give them something to grow on.

Be the gentle hand that guides them,

but don’t force them to take

a certain shape or form.

Those never look like the real thing.

Remember you can’t make them grow

by standing in front of them and

ordering them to.

You can’t tell them how to grow.

But you can love them so they will blossom

into what they are meant to be.

Cultivate.

Nurture.

Guide.

Hope.

Teach.