+1: Want Grapes or Figs? (#1341)

Thorn Bushes and Thistles Won’t Do the Trick

 

In our last  1, we talked about The Law of Karma. 

 

Also known as The Law of Cause and Effect.

 

Same thing. 

 

All the great teachers have talked about it. 

 

And the entire field of modern science is, of course, grounded in this causal relationship between things.

 

In short: If THIS then THAT.

 

Today we’re going to rewind the clock a couple of thousand years and see what another wise teacher has to say on the subject. Then we’ll explore some more related ancient wisdom in our next +1. Then we’ll talk about how modern science tells us we should be thinking about it as it relates to setting goals for our optimization.

 

So…

 

Let’s rewind the clock to almost exactly 2,000 years ago. 

 

We’re heading to the ancient land of Israel.

 

Jesus is giving a sermon on a mount.

 

In Matthew 7:16, he tells us: “You will recognize them by their fruits. Are grapes gathered from thornbushes, or figs from thistles?”

 

Of course, in that context, Jesus is talking about how to discern false prophets from true ones, but we’ll use the wisdom from his metaphor at the highest level and see if we can apply it to our lives.

 

So…

 

Pop quiz!

 

Are grapes gathered from thornbushes? 

 

NO.

 

Are figs gathered from thistles? 

 

NO.

 

Will the fruits of a good, noble life grow from the branches of less-than-awesome behaviors? 

 

NO. 

 

We need to remember The Law of Cause and Effect.

 

If THIS then THAT.

 

If we want to feel more Energized, Productive and Connected, we need to DO THE THINGS that lead to those outcomes.

 

This is, of course, a very simple truth.

 

And…

 

We’d be wise to keep it in mind as we MAKE THE CONNECTION between the things we’re doing and the outcomes we’re experiencing.

 

When? 

 

TODAY.

 

Happy harvesting, Hero!