Plant to Seed of Thoughtfulness

From love songs, to honky took tunes, Dolly Parton wrote them all. For seven years she partnered with Porter Wagoner to compose and perform chart topping hits. These lyrics from the song Thoughtfulness made me think of the jonquils that bloom in our yard in early Spring. I wove the text into the stem and leaves of the flower:

Love is like a tender flower. It needs care from the time you sow. Tender words of love are like summer. Makes love strong when cold winds blow.

I find the title of this song unusual in that thoughtfulness is not often associated with sowing seeds, and yet that is exactly what happens when we exhibit thoughtfulness. It is that moment when we touch the heart of someone by remembering and acting more for their benefit than our own. It is giving up control and knowing that what we do with the seed of our attention will blossom later for everyone to see. We may or may not be around to see the bloom, which is ok. Being thoughtful is about letting someone else know that they are important enough to remember AND be acknowledged.

When was the last time you were thoughtful simply to affirm and encourage someone else? A text, an email, a hand written note, or a phone call to share words of encouragement or validating their importance. We ALL need to be shown in word and deed that we matter, that we are important, that someone is employing their brain and heart to think about us. It is a magical feeling when others put what we want and need as an important part of their life. It is humbling and exalting at the same time. It provides an injection of energy and validation that may be just the thing the pushes us towards our goal, a better self, a better way of thinking about ourself. It only takes a moment, one selfless moment, one moment when we want that other person to know beyond doubt that they are known, loved and important.

Imagine what the world would be like if more people exhibited thoughtfulness for no other reason than to make someone else’s world better? Let today be the day you plant the seed of love and tenderness, thoughtfulness and validation for just one person in your world.