I am not much of a gardener but I understand the principles: good soil, regular watering and feeding, pruning, sunshine, loving attention and time. I understand the stages of care as well as the seasons of life.
Given my garden history, I know that following the basics does not guarantee every harvest but it does stack the odds in your favour.
Yet even with this knowledge, we are often consumed with wanting to cut corners. We want to build a legacy, create a habit and address a weakness with as little work and suffering as possible. And if we are unhealthy about wanting this for ourselves, we are positively dysfunctional in the desire to have it all for our children.
Yet instead, whenever we want to bring personal growth or change, we need to apply the principles of cultivation. Those principles based on care, expertise and time.
And only then, once we have walked every stage and season, are we likely to see the fruits of a life well lived.