So this idea has been floating in my mind rent free for a while now and since it’s been a rainy weekend, I wanted to articulate this mindset. Put as simply as possible, it is “Grow Wise, Plant Trees and Make Art.” This isn’t just a catchy phrase; it’s a roadmap for both personal development and the betterment of the people around you. Let’s break down these three steps.

To “grow wise,” is to confront the wall hindering your pursuit of new skills or knowledge, whether encountered at school or work. Despite appearing as an impassable obstacle or seemingly not worth it at the moment, this is where wisdom takes root through continual development. It involves laying the groundwork for your worldview and refining how you engage with the world. When learning a new skill or developing understanding in a new topic, focusing on the fundamentals is crucial for deepening your understanding no matter the subjects as it builds insite and you learn the “why” behind it.

Now hard skills can be easily measured, they are only one part of intelligence. Wisdom on the other hand, you also need to focus on emotional intelligence, wit, virtue, and insight. This broader focus enables you to move beyond simplistic black-and-white perspectives and appreciate the full range of tones of the human experience. These soft skills allow you to connect with others, learn from their experiences and identify how you can improve yourself. Despite people saying that these skills are something you’re born with or your gift. All skills can be acquired through consistent and constructive practice, and applying yourself this way makes it easier to learn in the future.

The last point is that wise doesn’t mean old. Though wisdom often comes with age, it’s more inline with tending to a garden, nurturing plants while removing weeds. It doesn’t happen overnight, however wisdom flourishes with every deliberate action. You can start today and with a bit of patience will see a seedling growing into a self-sustaining ecosystem.

To “Grow Wise” is about being a perpetual student, allowing curiosity to drive engagement and understanding is a state of being a lifelong learner. This provides insight to ever-changing times and is a journey of self-discovery and growth.

Drawing inspiration from an age-old Greek adage, “A society grows great when old men plant trees in whose shade they shall never sit”

“Plant Trees” is about selfless endeavours for positive change. Get involved in supporting your community, fostering unity, and sharing ideas. This support can be tangible through activities like volunteering at a soup kitchen or supporting a local business to more abstract forms, such as teaching and assisting others or simply offering a warm smile and a hello.

So strive to be a positive influence today, it doesn’t have to be something big and grandeur, like any tree, they always started as a sapling. You can start doing small things and kind gestures then build up. Focus on making your little corner of the world a slightly better place and watch how infectious it can be to others. Whether large or small, these actions create ripple effects, leaving a lasting impression on those around you. 

“Plant Trees” is about enhancing the lives of those in your community, and contributing to a legacy that transcends your own lifetime.

“Make Art” is a call to embrace creativity in every aspect of life. While we often envision art as the delicate strokes of fine oil colours on canvas, the shaping of clay on a potter’s wheel, or the meticulous framing through a viewfinder to capture the perfect photo, these are, technically speaking, the skills of the trade. Art is, fundamentally, the ability to manifest your vision into reality.

Keep in mind, nothing emerges in isolation. We construct upon the foundations laid by those who came before us, using past knowledge to create something new. “Make Art” invites you to be bold, experiment with new ideas, and hone your skills while drawing upon the wisdom of who came before you.

You might be thinking, “I don’t possess an artistic bone in my body.” you might be looking at it like “I can’t draw”, however the creative part goes beyond traditional artistry. Even in seemingly mundane fields like programming, where you’re technically writing code and functions, your work in the big picture could be an intricate system that could revolutionise how we do things in the future. Also there is a lot of creative problem solving involved.

Another part of Creativity is experimentation. Sometimes it succeeds, and sometimes it doesn’t. You won’t know until you try. Failure paves the way to make something exceptional. So don’t be paralysed by your idea not working out and don’t let people tell you are not creative.

“Make Art” is understanding that being creative is about achieving your vision, making mistakes and learning from them is a part of the process.

Where do you find yourself on this journey? I find it interesting as each part influences the others. You could be helping someone and have a side conversation which leads to really interesting projects. Reflect on what you are doing to grow wiser, planting seeds of positive change, and making art in your own unique way. As I feel working towards these 3 areas builds a better whole.

Thankyou for reading my rainy day ramblings. If you think this would be useful to someone else, feel free to share this with them.

Also go come check out my channel on YouTube