What I Learned

What I Learned – The Law of the Farm

Today’s nuggets come from Reagan Owen, a 14 year-old home schooled young lad. As mentioned in the 7 daily nuggets yesterday, here are today’s nuggets from Reagan. I use my garden to teach life skills to the youth. By following the principles in the law of the farm we did the planting in less than one hour. Reagan’s report has not been edited. 

Here it is!                                                  

I learned that planting seed isn't hard and some seeds need more dirt than others to grow. In order to have a garden, you do not need to pull the weeds. First, you need to soften the dirt and make a small hole, then put the seed in it and cover it up with soft dirt. You can worry about all the other weeds that are around it later.

I also learned that clay stops pigs from having diarrhea; this is because of the iron minerals that are in it. Tilling the ground with a machine chops up the dirt too much for gardens, it's better to water the ground enough for a few days, rather than watering every single day. Another thing that I learned is that minerals come off of wood and seep into the ground. They help the plants grow, and if you have an area that was covered in wood, the ground will be rich in minerals, and your plants will grow better.

I also learned about the law of the farm, and how you have to do things in the order below, to make them work: 

1. Purpose means finding out what you're doing and why you're doing it.

2. Planning is making a strategy on how you're going to make it happen.

3. Preparation is preparing things so that when you are planting it doesn't die.

4. Planting is getting something started with an intent that it will grow.

5. Prevention is preventing the plant from dying by watering it.

6. Protection is pulling the weeds so that they do not strangle the plant, and keeping the rabbits out so that they do not eat the plants.

7. Performance is harvesting what you planted and protected, and finally getting the chance to enjoy it without worrying about the rabbits and the weeds.

The law of the farm doesn't just have to apply to planting seed, but can also apply to anything in life that you want to succeed or get done.

Will you join my cause to fight mediocrity in the world? Pass these nuggets on to others.

We make a living by what we get; we make a life by what we give. Be a giver in a world of takers.

Be blessed and be a blessing to others.

Carlos Fontana, President of Phalanx

Co-author of the book Follow to Lead (The 7 Principles to Being a Great Follower)

Author of the book PRICELESS (Sixty-Six Simple Stories of Reflection, Love, and Legacy

The Garden of Life

The Garden of Life

Today’s nuggets come from Michaela Owen, a 16 year-old home schooled young lady. Tomorrow’s nuggets come from her younger brother, Reagan Owen. These two awesome individuals, along with their dad, Drew Owen, helped me to put in the garden this year. I use my garden to teach life skills to the youth. By following the principles in the law of the farm we did the planting in less than one hour. Michaela’s report has not been edited. Here it is. Enjoy it and share it!

Similarly to planting a garden, one's life takes work in order to accomplish success. Planting a garden, as well as most phases in life, require these seven principles in order to prosper: Purpose, Planning, Preparation, Planting, Prevention, Protection, and Performance. 

1.       Purpose - Why am I setting this goal? A farmer's purpose is generally to produce an abundant crop. For a Christian, although it can often be difficult, it is important to have God's purpose in mind. Romans 8:28 (NIV) "And we know that all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose."

2.       Planning - How am I going to plan success? First, a farmer plans ahead. He chooses the seed, and decides where to plant. It is important for Christians to pray, trust, and ask for wisdom from God when it comes to plans. What is God's plan? What doors has He opened? Jeremiah 29:11(NIV) "'For I know the plans I have for you,' declares the Lord, 'Plans to prosper you, and not to harm you, plans to give you a hope and a future.'"

3.       Preparation - How am I going to prepare, to better ensure I reap a good harvest? A farmer puts in an immense amount of work preparing his field.

4.       Planting - All of the thinking, planning, and preparation mean nothing, if one does not actually plant. How can one expect a harvest, if one has not yet sowed?

5.       Prevention - A farmer will do his best in order to prevent wild animals from getting into his garden. In a sense, one's heart can be compared to a garden. Proverbs 4:23 (NIV) says; "Above all else guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it." The garden of one's heart is greatly affected by what is allowed into it, just like a farmer's garden. If a farmer allows weeds, or animals to get into his garden, it is quite plausible that the crops will languish. Galatians 6:8 (NIV) "Whoever sows to please their flesh, from the flesh will reap destruction; whoever sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life."

6.       Protection - To a farmer, this is just as an important stage, as the planting itself. If he does not protect his field from weeds, it is very likely that he will not produce a great crop. Proverbs 2:7 (NIV) says; "He holds success in store for the upright, He is a shield to those whose walk is blameless." This area can be applied to one's life, because one needs to guard one's heart and mind. This can include the kinds of shows and movies one watches, as well as the music one listens to, and the books one reads. Philippians 4:8 (NIV) says; "Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things." If it does not add up to this verse, it has to go. One must continually pluck out the weeds from one's thoughts, in order to protect and prevent corruption.

7.       Performance - This is the stage where all of one's hard work comes together. All of the previous steps will have hopefully amounted to tremendous success. The more effort we put into the front end, the more superior the results of the harvest will be.

           Thank you Michaela

Will you join my cause to fight mediocrity in the world? Pass these nuggets on to others.

We make a living by what we get; we make a life by what we give. Be a giver in a world of takers.

Be blessed and be a blessing to others.

Carlos Fontana, President of Phalanx

Co-author of the book Follow to Lead (The 7 Principles to Being a Great Follower)

Author of the book PRICELESS (Sixty-Six Simple Stories of Reflection, Love, and Legacy

The Fool and the Wise

The Fool and the Wise

How does one go about becoming wise? Wise people take the right actions from the right insights. The use intuition, that gut feeling coming from the creative part of our brain. Wisdom comes from the correct application of knowledge (understanding), from experiences, and from the reflections on those experiences. Wisdom is the principle thing we all shall seek.

Shift your thinking from one brain to another, from left to right and from right to left brain.

1. Don’t believe in luck, believe in God. We don’t lack intelligence and talent; we lack faith, belief in our creator.

2. Believe that even the smallest of actions can have the biggest ripple effects. The ripple effect creates success, wave making creates significance.

3. Know that grace and love can be suited for our own circumstances. Leverage the power of grace and love.

4. Live long enough and you will know that the greatest destruction is brought into our living rooms via a square device connected with a cable.

5. Life is what happens to us when we are making future plans. Work the plans.

6. Take time to reflect and time to love and you will leave a legacy. Love is a powerful force.

7. We all know our pains, what fills our minds in quiet moments. Wisdom comes from reflections to produce growth from our pains.

Will you join my cause to fight mediocrity in the world? Pass these nuggets on to others.

We make a living by what we get; we make a life by what we give. Be a giver in a world of takers.

Be blessed and be a blessing to others.

Carlos Fontana, President of Phalanx

Co-author of the book Follow to Lead (The 7 Principles to Being a Great Follower)

Author of the book PRICELESS (Sixty-Six Simple Stories of Reflection, Love, and Legacy

What are you thinking?

All about thinking

1. Our inner world is a world beyond reason. Why not leverage the potential that lies inside you?

2. Develop the skills to scan your inner world. Why not spend time to know who you are?

3. Learn to act despite fears. If we don’t understand our own fears how can we help others to understand their?

4. Our values come from deep inside us. Do you know your values?

5. Values are all about what is right and what matters most. What matters most in your life?

6. Our values dictate our decisions. Our influence and the levels of risk we are willing to take come from our values. What risks are you willing to take?

7. Leaders spend time thinking about thinking. What percentage of your time are you spending thinking?

Leaders keep their eye on the ball and the scorecard so they know what to do next.

Will you join my cause to fight mediocrity in the world? Pass these nuggets on to others.

We make a living by what we get; we make a life by what we give. Be a giver in a world of takers.

Be blessed and be a blessing to others.

Carlos Fontana, President of Phalanx

Co-author of the book Follow to Lead (The 7 Principles to Being a Great Follower)

Author of the book PRICELESS (Sixty-Six Simple Stories of Reflection, Love, and Legacy

Amazing Mothers

Our amazing mothers

What mothers think, say and do has great significance in our lives. Thank you for your example. Here are a few things I have learned from my mother. Thank you for all your teachings.

1. Confidence. We stop being confident the day we forfeit to live our purpose.  

2. Dedication. Joy is in the moment when our cry breaks through and someone hears momentarily.

3. Strength. Never let your sorrows to overwhelm you and prevent you from believing in joy. Joy is being heard on a deeper level; it is being the one who hears.

4. Responsibility. We either avoid pain or try to kill it. Deal with it by accepting it. Pain does not kill us, just let pain happen.

5. Leadership. Crushed grapes can produce great tasting wine. Leaders are forged in the battlefield.

6. Survival. Life is the constant pain filled cry of every person to be heard, to be noticed and to be loved.

7. Suffering. Don’t be afraid of pain. Significance is found on the other side of suffering.

Will you join my cause to fight mediocrity in the world? Pass these nuggets on to others.

We make a living by what we get; we make a life by what we give. Be a giver in a world of takers.

Be blessed and be a blessing to others.

Carlos Fontana, President of Phalanx

Co-author of the book Follow to Lead (The 7 Principles to Being a Great Follower)

Author of the book PRICELESS (Sixty-Six Simple Stories of Reflection, Love, and Legacy

IF IT IS UP TO BE IT IS UP TO ME

IF IT IS UP TO BE IT IS UP TO ME

Things that are easy to do are even easier not to do!

Managers tell; leaders show! Show your tail lights.

1. Laugh often. Laugh loud, deep, and wide. Have you laughed at yourself today?

2. Stay young. Youth is a state of mind. Are you firing ON all those neurons?

3. Mind the soul. Feed your soul the right foods. How wrinkled is your soul?

4. Not obliged. Never let your critical few things in life be at the mercy of the insignificant many. Are you living by your priorities or your obligations?

5. Prosperous living. The biggest secret to a ripe old age is to have in you that childlike spirit. What is your main spiritual food?

6. Priority living. Our attitudes are shaped by our priorities. Are you living by your priorities or someone else’s?

7. Borrow thinking. We don’t live long enough to build our own wisdom. Are you borrowing the great thoughts from wise people?

Will you join my cause to fight mediocrity in the world? Pass these nuggets on to others.

We make a living by what we get; we make a life by what we give. Be a giver in a world of takers.

Be blessed and be a blessing to others.

Carlos Fontana, President of Phalanx

Co-author of the book Follow to Lead (The 7 Principles to Being a Great Follower)

Author of the book PRICELESS (Sixty-Six Simple Stories of Reflection, Love, and Legacy

The Dash

Truth to freedom

Success leaves clues; significance leaves impressions

1.      Shift gears. Learn to speed shift from problem mode to solution mode. How fast can you go from problem identified to problem solved?

2.      Destination destiny. Destiny is a matter of choice. What is your destiny telling your followers? Are you building a dynasty or your destiny?

3.      Gratitude attitude. Attitude is the difference maker. Ask, is my attitude worth catching?

4.      Mind the voice. Our attitudes are directly connected with our inner voices. How sweet is the sound of your voice?

5.      Plant to harvest. If we plant crabapples we will not harvest Golden Delicious. What fruits can be harvested from your tree of life?

6.      Heart talk. Learn to speak with your heart. Have you touched a heart today?

7.      Mind the dash. Life is all about the dash between the two dates in our tombstones. What two words define your life?

Will you join my cause to fight mediocrity in the world? Pass these nuggets on to others.

We make a living by what we get; we make a life by what we give. Be a giver in a world of takers.

Be blessed and be a blessing to others.

Carlos Fontana, President of Phalanx

Co-author of the book Follow to Lead (The 7 Principles to Being a Great Follower)

Author of the book PRICELESS (Sixty-Six Simple Stories of Reflection, Love, and Legacy