The strongest of trees has its origins in a simple fact – the seed had the right soil in which to germinate and grow. This principle is so true of us as well; no matter how good we are, we need the right environment to flourish in, and the right environment also brings out the best in us. We soon realise that changing the quality of our life and for those around us is as much about creating the right environment in our lives.

When we create an environment of love and happiness in our homes, relationships have the best chance to strengthen. Our children, when they grow up in a loving and happy environment, find the security to negotiate and navigate through life in spite of uncertainties and negativities.

When we create an environment of trust and empowerment in our organisations, ordinary people deliver extraordinary results. Sometimes the secret of the most successful and effective organisations lies in creating the right environment for its people.

When society is built on fairness, fearlessness, and true freedom, the best minds and talent have their best chance of maximising their potential. When we hear of people who transformed their lives in another country, it wasn’t that the person changed, it may well be that the new environment brought out the best in them.

When a good gardener realises that a tree has stopped growing and is showing signs of weakening, he attends to the soil and nourishment. And even if he has to change the soil substantially, he does not hesitate, as he is not attached to the soil, but the well-being of the tree.

When we struggle and get frustrated at not being able to move ahead, we need to be fearless and find the courage to drop our attachments to old ways of doing things. Each one of us has the seed of greatness in us, and sometimes the answer lies in just giving ourselves the right soil to operate in.

(Picture-Walkway in our garden)