When Dead Things Die on Your Dreams: How Adversity Fertilizes Potential (Or, Why S.H.I.T. Happens for a Reason)"Setbacks Help Ignite Transformation"

Have you ever seen a tiny flower sprout pushing through a crack in the concrete? Or a lone flower blooming amidst a field of weeds? It's a captivating sight, a testament to the resilience of life. Nature teaches us that life finds a way even when buried under debris, suffocated by darkness, or seemingly extinguished. A seed can produce a harvest anytime, no matter what is around it.

This resilience isn't unique to plants; it's mirrored in our potential. Like a seed, our potential is not snuffed out by the "dead things" that fall upon it – the setbacks, failures, heartbreaks, and losses. Instead, these experiences can act as fertilizer, enriching the soil of our lives and fueling new growth. In other words, sometimes S.H.I.T. happens for a reason. Setbacks help ignite transformation; this is the only shit that matters in your life, the things that provoke change. In this context, S.H.I.T. stands for "Setbacks Help Ignite Transformation." It's a reminder that even the most unpleasant experiences (often associated with the word "shit") can be catalysts for positive change and personal growth.

The Seed's Resilience: Built to Endure

If you have ever seen a seed, it's one of the smallest, ugliest, relevant things you can have. Fortunately, they have unlimited potential; one seed can produce a harvest that can care for you for a lifetime. Seeds are marvels of nature. They're designed to withstand droughts, extreme temperatures, and even being eaten by animals, bugs, and whatnot. Their tough outer coatings protect the embryonic plant within, while dormancy allows them to wait for the optimal conditions to sprout.

Similarly, we humans possess an innate resilience. We're hardwired to adapt, learn, and overcome challenges. Our potential is not a fragile flower but a hardy seed capable of surviving in the most inhospitable environments. Yes, you are a seed. When placed in the right conditions to come out of you, there is more to produce in you.

Sometimes shit gets real in life, and we need to be able to utilize the wrong things or the dead things as fertilizer to help start the cycle of renewal.

In the natural world, death is not an ending but a transformation. When a plant or animal dies, it decomposes, releasing nutrients into the soil. This enriched soil then nourishes new seeds, continuing the cycle of life.

The same principle applies to our personal growth. The "dead things" in our lives – the relationships that ended, the jobs we lost, the dreams that didn't pan out – can leave valuable lessons and insights behind. These experiences, as painful as they may be, can serve as fertilizer for our potential, fueling new aspirations and endeavors.

There is unlikely power of feces; I understand and know what I said. You read that right; it's part of the S.H.I.T. Let's face it, feces isn't the most glamorous topic. But in the world of gardening, manure is a prized possession. It's a potent fertilizer, rich in nutrients that promote healthy plant growth. Think about it: Sometimes, the most unpleasant experiences in our lives – the rejections, humiliations, and betrayals – can yield unexpected benefits. They can teach valuable lessons about ourselves, others, and the world. They can make us stronger, wiser, and more compassionate. Waste is supposed to stink. It reminds us that this was bad for us, so we need to get it out of us and smell it in the air to remind us that it is not what we want. Like waste, negative emotions like anger, resentment, or grief can fester and become toxic if we hold onto them for too long. They serve as a reminder that something is wrong and needs to be addressed. Just as we need to dispose of waste to maintain a clean and healthy environment, we need to acknowledge and process negative emotions to keep our emotional well-being. Doing so creates space for positive feelings and experiences to flourish.

Okay, so life throws crap at us sometimes. It's inevitable. But here's the thing: we don't have to let it bury us. We can use that "fertilizer" to help us grow stronger and more resilient. Here's how I've learned to do it, and maybe it'll help you too:

1. Reframing the Crap: Let's be honest, setbacks suck. But instead of wallowing in self-pity (trust me, I've been there), I've asked myself, "What can I learn from this mess?" It's amazing how a shift in perspective can turn a failure into a valuable lesson.

2. Finding My Garden Crew: We all need the right people in our corner. I've realized the importance of surrounding myself with people who lift me up and remind me of my potential, even when doubting myself. Their support is like sunshine for my soul.

3. Being My Own B.F.F.: This one's been tough, but I'm learning to be kinder to myself. We all screw up sometimes, and beating ourselves up over it only makes things worse. It's okay to make mistakes; it's how we learn and grow.

4. Celebrating the Little Wins: It's easy to get caught up in the big picture, and we must remember to appreciate the small steps we take along the way. But those little wins are proof that we're moving forward, and they deserve to be celebrated!

Remember, you're not a delicate flower that wilts at the first sign of trouble. You're a seed with the potential to grow into something extraordinary, even with a bit of S.H.I.T. thrown your way. Our potential is not fragile; it's a force of nature. It thrives in the face of adversity, drawing strength from the challenges that seek to extinguish it. So, embrace the S.H.I.T. in your life. Use it as fertilizer for your dreams. Let it fuel your growth and propel you towards a future filled with possibility.

Yeah, shit stinks sometimes, but your shit is your shit, and that shit is the only shit that matters.

Grind!