By Frank Tagarira
This article is an explanation of last week’s business parable (Where is my money, the parable of the pumpkin seeds). A parable explains hidden truths using metaphors.
In last week’s business parable I wrote of a young African man who spent a significant part of his life digging for his money box without a clear vision.
This relates to people who want to accumulate wealth yet they don’t have a practical and clear strategy to accumulate wealth. The man in the parable accumulated his wealth by planting pumpkin seeds. Planting pumpkin seeds is investing in your dreams in life. The focus should therefore be on one’s dreams, not money. Money will come along with the fulfillment of your true dreams in life.
So, should you also plant some pumpkin seeds to create your fortune? Of course, go ahead and plant pumpkin seeds in Alaska, and see if they grow. You will be lucky if you don’t freeze to death down there.
The parable of the pumpkin seeds is a story with a hidden meaning. Most people in life want to have lots of money. “God knows what they want it for.”
Some want it for financial security, some for their ego, some just want it. I don’t know why you want it, but I know you want it. Most of us want to have this money so badly we spend the greater portion of our lives “digging” for it like Tawanda was doing. Digging is working and labouring without a clear strategy of how we can get that money.
Most of the people who dig, simply do so and hope to discover a money box hidden somewhere. It’s like waiting for something big to happen without having a clear enough plan. Many people just dig and dig and don’t sow any pumpkin seeds, then end up wondering where their money is. Your money is everywhere, but you have to sow your dreams in life. Don’t love money. Love your dreams, and when harvest time comes you will get more money than you ever imagined.
Look at some of the world’s wealthiest people. Look at Oprah Winfrey, Robert L. Johnson, Patrice Moetsepe, Bill Gates, Richard Branson and Donald Trump.
These people invest in their dreams and money comes to them like bees to honey. These guys sow pumpkin seeds, and when harvest time comes they become the envy of mankind. You can harvest millions or billions if you sow pumpkin seeds. It won’t happen overnight, however. You will have to work harder and smarter. You will need to apply the right fertilizer and pesticides.
You will need to be patient for the harvest time to come.
You will have to constantly tend your fields until harvest time and you will be rewarded beyond your wildest dreams. Many of us want to harvest overnight, and that’s where stealing, crime, murder and all kindw of sin come from. No wonder some say money is the root of all evil, or the love of money is the root … I don’t know exactly, but something like that. Money is not evil; people are the ones who are evil. Love not money but your dreams.
Be Bold, Be Brave, Be Excited!
Frank Tagarira is a Business Consultant and Coach.