Fertilize and Prune

According to Wikipedia:

Fertilizer (or fertiliser) is any organic or inorganic material of natural or synthetic origin (other than liming materials) that is added to a soil to supply one or more plant nutrients essential to the growth of plants.

Pruning is a horticultural practice involving the selective removal of parts of a plant, such as branches, buds, or roots. Reasons to prune plants include deadwood removal, shaping (by controlling or directing growth), improving or maintaining health.

Imagine a garden, full of succulent fruits and vegetables.  Look at the detail of the river rock wall surrounding this stunning masterpiece.  Think about the effort that went in to creating such a productive field of beauty.  Can you see the gardener with his pruning shears as he delicately tends to each plant?  Look at the elaborate fertilization system in place.  It delivers just to right amount of nutrients to ensure proper maturation.

Now imagine the same garden without the gardener or the fertilization system.  Look how weed ridden it is.  The rock wall is crumbling, there are no signs of fruits or vegetables.  I wonder how long it's been since someone actually tended this garden.  How long will it survive?  How will it and who will it benefit in this condition?

In reference to relationships, each of us has a garden.  We fill our garden with all sorts of people.  The question is, do we take the time to fertilize and prune our gardens?  Are our relationships like the first or second image described above?  Do our relationships produce fruit, or are they full of weeds?

Seven steps to a productive "relationship garden".

1) Always meet new people.  You never know if they are an "essential nutrient" to you and others you know.

2) Set expectations with others.  The relationship must have meaning deeper than weather or sports talk.  How can you mutually benefit from the relationship?

3) Have some seasonal relationships.  These come and go, but they always produce growth (a mentoring relationship).

4) Don't be afraid to "prune" out bad branches.  Remember that pruning maintains health and directs growth.  To be blunt: life is too short to get bogged down trying to revive a bad relationship at the expense of many great relationships.  It's okay to be selective.  Don't be a jerk, be honest with others -- it may do you both some good.

5) It's not all about you.  Be like the gardener, have a committed heart and a desire to impact others.

6) Make time.  Whether it is a spouse, child, colleague, or old friend, the relationship will not survive if not properly tended to.

7) Share what you know.  A master gardener usually has an apprentice.  Teach others the skills necessary to cultivate productive relationships.

What are some other ways to improve and build healthy relationships?  Please share your thoughts.