I’d like to introduce you to my Mother-in-Law Tongue plant, also known as a “Snake” or “Sword” plant. Such sharp words for this pointy-edged plant.
From now on, I’m going to call it the sword plant. As a mom of boys, swords are equivalent to the barbie dolls from my past, by providing hours of imaginary play. Even this weekend at the Pennsylvania Farm Show, my eight-year-old had to have the rainbow light-up sword with a skull handle. Our house, garage and driveway have been littered with them for years. Typically, our swords are the plastic, foam and wood varieties, although more creative eyes have converted sticks and pool noodles into hours of creative play, screaming, fighting and/or triumphant laughter.
Have you ever seen someone juggle swords? Around 25 years ago, I was in the audience of a motivational juggler-speaker. Imagine that: a juggler who captured audiences with dazzling air displays, then sneaks in motivational life lessons along the way. I don’t remember much about my life 25 years ago, but somehow this juggler’s lesson lodged into my brain.
His juggling act caught my attention when he pulled sharp swords out of his box and juggled with ease. He went on to teach us how to juggle swords, just like him. He asked, “To avoid getting cut, do you think I should focus on the sharp, pointy end?”
I knew the answer: Of COURSE you focus on the sharp, pointy end!!! The rest of the audience agreed with me. The sharp, pointy end is dangerous, so you MUST keep your eyes on it at all times. Right?
He went on to shock and awe the crowd with his answer: “No. My teacher said, ‘Only focus on the Handle.’” He went on to explain, just like life, to avoid getting cut, we should focus on the solution (handle) not the problem (pointy end).
It is always easier to look at the pointy end, isn’t it? In a way – the pointy end keeps us spellbound. I’ve always been good at looking at what’s wrong with life. I can be an over-achiever at finding the problem, talking about it, criticizing it, and as my first mentor would say, “admiring the problem.” The pointy end is what cuts us, so we need to look at it, right? Pointy ended things like: “I’m too fat, too ugly, I’ll never have enough, I’m not worthy.” Or, “I can’t do it, I’m not smart enough, I don’t have the time, I don’t know how.”
If we look at the pointy end for too long, we become hypnotized. We become mesmerized by misery. Misery grows into spells and unconsciously we become spellbound by stories. What are the swords in which we become spellbound? You see, if we keep focusing on the problems, they turn into stories. If we aren’t careful, these stories get lodged into our minds as truth. Stories such as: “I need to do something in order to receive love. I must struggle in order to achieve success. I can’t disappoint anyone. I’ll never have enough.”
It is time to wake up and cut the spells. Notice the thoughts that are running in the undercurrent of our minds. Are these thoughts sharp and pointed? Or do they provide a sturdy grip in which to handle life? Instead of focusing on what’s wrong with life, start noticing all the things that are going right with life. I guarantee this will help us both juggle through our days with greater ease and joy.
Today, I keep this sword plant in a prominent area of my house. I smile every time my eyes glance its way. It reminds me to cut through any spells that may creep into my day. Then I ask, “What will I handle today?”