There were once two cousins — both gardeners — living across the street from one another.
One day, their grand uncle passed away and left 50 seeds each in his will.
Paul, the first gardener, placed his seeds in a small cloth bag and locked them in a safe.
He told himself he was protecting their value. “One day,” he thought, “when the time is right…”
Pierre, the second gardener, had a different response.
He didn’t have the perfect land, or all the tools, or the knowledge — but he had willingness.
He started placing seeds in pots while studying how to make soil fertile.
He failed, tried again, learned, adjusted.
Soon, green shoots began to rise.
Then trees.
Then entire gardens.
Five years later, a lawyer — the same one who had read their uncle’s will — returned to visit the cousins.
He was stunned.
Pierre’s property was thriving.
It stretched far beyond the original land.
There were workers, trucks, shipments, and contracts.
He had purchased adjacent lots. He had built a farming business. He had created legacy.
And Paul?
He still lived in the same house.
His safe still held the same seeds.
His garden had not grown. And his heart, though once hopeful, now felt defeated
He thought he was being wise…
But in truth, he had been hoarding his harvest.
🪞 A Personal Realization
This story, bestie, came to me as I reflected on my own financial journey.
When I got my first job in Malaysia, I was diligent. I saved 50% of my salary.
I was proud of my discipline.
But at the end of the year… all I had was what I saved.
No increase. No growth.
And worse — the money had lost value in time.
Meanwhile, friends were investing, purchasing homes, and expanding their lives.
And I couldn’t understand why the same wasn’t happening for me.
The truth?
I was afraid.
I wanted to be wealthy — but I didn’t want to release my seeds.
I was scared to lose money, so I never learned how to multiply it.
I thought saving was smart. And yes, it is.
But saving without sowing is not stewardship — it’s stagnation.
As David J. Schwartz said: “The thinking that guides your intelligence is more important than your intelligence.”
And my thinking — although cautious — was guided by fear, not faith.
By protection, not purpose.
🌿 The Shift That Changed Everything
“Paul was still thinking about seeds.
Pierre was already feeding the world.”
That’s what hoarding does to us.
We get so caught up in protecting our potential that we never activate it.
We think playing small will keep us safe.
But in reality, it keeps us stuck.
The abundance we’re crying out for?
It’s already inside the seed —
But until we plant it, water it, and risk its transformation…
We’ll never taste the fruit.
✨ From Hoarding to Harvest: Your Moment to Reflect
Here are some prompts to journal with today. Don’t rush. Be honest. This is where the healing begins.
Where in my life am I protecting potential instead of planting it?
What “seeds” have I hidden away out of fear? (money, talents, ideas, opportunities)
What would it look like to stop waiting for perfect soil and just start planting now?
Am I more like Paul or Pierre in this season of my life?
What mantra or truth do I want to hold onto as I begin to sow boldly?
(Try this one: “God provides the seed, and He multiplies what I dare to plant.”)
💛 Final Thought
You are not here to hoard potential.
You are here to build gardens.
To expand your land.
To feed nations.
To live generously and courageously.
So today,
take the seed out of the safe.
Put your hand in the soil.
Say a prayer.
And plant.
Because what you plant in faith…
God multiplies in ways you cannot yet imagine. 🌻
From your gardener-in-recovery,
Salima 🌿💋
Just me thinking out loud over here