Applying The Weed Test

Joy and I were on a trip a couple of weeks ago and stopped by a restaurant chain we remember fondly from our days in North Dakota.

As we pulled into the parking lot, I had a bit of a sense of apprehension...
the landscaping looked pretty rough.

Not only was there trash laying around, there were substantial weeds growing in the mulch and landscaping.

I was really experiencing mixed emotions about walking inside. My thoughts were, "If the manager doesn't care enough, hasn't been paying enough attention to the exterior (weeds, parking lot and landscaping), our dining experience might not be to great."

We walked into the lobby and there was several college age employees standing and sitting around. They jumped up when we walked in and promptly seated us.

Fortunately, the young man who waited on us was a champ. You'll have to check Joy's blog to get more information about his great service. (http://www.joythornton.org). By the way, Joy has been posting some great stuff on her blog.

So, what are the lessons?
Keep the weeds out of your life and relationships.
There are certain things that should not be tolerated.



I remember hearing sometime ago, "the best fertilizer for the soil are the footprints of the gardner."



David Hume said, "The richest genius, like the most fertile soil, when uncultivated, shoots up into the rankest of weeds."

I have seen some that are anxious to plant all kinds of flowers, then do not tend to those flower beds. The beauty is short lived and rather than draw attention to beautiful flowers, instead shows the lack of follow through, discipline, and caring. They want to look good for the moment... but there is no lasting impression.


The applications and implications are replete.

I must stop... I could go on forever... there are so many lessons.

"A man's children and his garden both reflect the amount of weeding done during the growing season."

"Happiness must be cultivated. It is like character. It is not a thing to be safely let alone for a moment, or it will run to weeds."

Elizabeth Stuart Phelps