The Carrot Seed Story and Havingness

Do you remember the story of the young boy in Ruth Krauss’ book, The Carrot Seed? It’s a story of a young boy who plants a carrot seed, tends to it patiently while all the people around him doubt that he can grow a carrot from one little seed. The young boy ignores all the naysayers, even his big brother who said, “Na, na, it won’t come up, your carrot won’t come up.” The little boy waters his garden, and he pulls the weeds. He cares for his carrot plant with confidence and dedication, ignoring all predictions of failure. He waits, going about his daily tasks with devotion and care, never doubting and never wondering.

And then the carrot starts to grow – and grow, and grow, much to the surprise of everyone except the little boy.

What this little boy had is what I call havingness, the ability to be comfortable and accepting of life as it is while you wait with certainty for something more. He wasn’t impatient. He didn’t doubt. He didn’t cave into the conventional wisdom that his carrot wouldn’t grow. He kept at it with an attitude of certainty. And guess what? It worked!

I like to remember this story when I’m in the throes of impatience and doubt. When my havingness is low, I know that it’s time to “clear my space” and get back to center. I sit in meditation and ask to be shown the deeper meaning – the reason for my impatience. I call this my “attitude adjustment time”.

I ask myself, “Why am I afraid? Why do I doubt my ability to manifest?

Sometimes I find that I am searching for acceptance and outside validation that the work I am doing is worthwhile. Other times I just need a little internal pat on the back and nurturing. Sometimes I realize that pushing through is not the answer – that I’m in resistance to some part of my life.

I’ve learned to check in with my inner guidance system because I know that it begins and ends with me. No one can “make” me happy and content. That’s an internal job.

There’s no craving, striving or impatience in this space of havingness. Just certainty. You are waiting, with hands open to receive all those wonderful events and circumstances that are coming your way.

Munch on a carrot today and consider your state of havingness.

Here’s the link to Ruth Krauss’ book just in case you want a nostaglic read. Havingness is a hard concept to explain, but this book is a great reminder to keep the faith!