“The Secret Garden…”

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 Shared by Breanne Smedley

Growing up, one of my sister and I’s favorite things to do was explore the woods around our house.

We would spend hours climbing up and down hills, discovering new places, and getting lost in nature.

Sometimes, even physically lost as we would venture deep enough to wonder “which way do we go to get back home?”

Relying on each other, taking in cues from our surroundings, and trial and error would eventually help us figure it out.

There was one spot in particular behind our house that I decided I wanted to turn into our secret hideaway.

I was reading the book “The Secret Garden” at the time and thought it would be so cool to have a “secret garden” of my own.

So, I found a space in the woods and borrowed my parents yard work tools to rake leaves, and sticks away, and cut down branches to create a clearing.

I lined a path to our secret place with rocks that I collected. I then borrowed some folding chairs so my sister and I could hang out in comfort.

The finishing touch was garnering a sign to a tree at the start of the path saying “Breanne’s Secret Garden.”

It was fun. Exploring, problem-solving, being creative, and building a special space within the untamed, often confusing woods.

Fast forward to today, and I’m finding myself feeling similar to young, explorer Breanne in many ways.

Building a business with Kristina has often left me feeling lost, confused, inspired, and creative all at the same time.

My path to becoming a teacher was clearly laid out and regimented, “Take these courses, complete student teaching, apply for jobs, begin a career.”

The path to building a business, however, has been quite the opposite.

While Kristina and I have found maps and guides along the way (Ryan Fletcher), much of this is uncharted territory for us.

There is no counselor to tell me, “just take these courses and you’ll be on your way!”

Being an entrepreneur, like being an explorer, has forced me to make a path of my own.

And sometimes, I just wish there was a path that would tell us exactly what to do next, and boom, it’s done.

Like being a little child again, I sometimes feel lost in the woods behind my house.

But, I didn’t find my way back then by just sitting down and waiting for someone to find me and show me the way.

The same holds true for today.

So, I need to continue to take initiative.

Start chopping down the things in the way.

Be okay getting stuck in the bushes

Be courageous and get lost every once in a while.

Use trial and error to find what works, and what doesn’t.

Because the Secret Garden wasn’t built by following a pre-set plan laid out for me.

Neither was Mindfluent Leadership.

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