Ideas bloom in diverse gardens.

Think of your mind like a garden. Sometimes it feels empty, sometimes crowded with wildflowers, and sometimes a few weeds push through the soil. As your mentor, I want you to know that all kinds of plants — and all kinds of ideas and feelings — have a place. When gardens hold lots of different flowers, they are stronger and more beautiful. The same goes for your thoughts: when you welcome different ideas, even the surprising or scary ones, you give yourself more ways to grow.

When things feel hard, short, strong words can make a big difference. Try keeping a few simple phrases close by like seeds in your pocket. Say them quietly when your heart races, when friends disagree with you, or when you’re starting something new. You don’t have to believe a phrase right away; repeating it is like watering a tiny seed until it takes root.

• “I can try one small step.” “It’s okay to ask for help.” “My feelings are real.” “I don’t have to be perfect.” “I belong here.” “This will pass.” “I am learning.” “I can be kind to myself.”

You can blend these little sayings with small actions. Name what you feel — “I feel nervous” or “I’m disappointed” — and the feeling often becomes easier to handle. If your chest feels tight, try three slow breaths: in for four, out for four. If your head feels full of thorns, draw or write for five minutes; sometimes a picture makes a path where words get stuck. Sharing what you’re thinking with someone you trust pulls weeds out of the ground and makes space for new plants. Asking for help is not a weakness; it’s like calling a gardener when a branch needs support.

Remember that different ideas are like different colors. Someone else's way of thinking might look strange at first, but it can teach you a new color to mix into your own painting. Mistakes are not a ruined garden; they are compost that feeds the soil. When something doesn’t work, ask what you learned and what tiny change might make things better next time. Celebrate small victories — finishing a book, saying “no” when you mean it, or sharing how you feel — because small blooms turn into a big meadow over time.

You don’t need to keep every single idea forever. Let some go like leaves in the wind. Keep the ones that help you grow and share seeds with friends who need them. I’ll walk with you, and sometimes we’ll just sit and watch our gardens together. Ideas really do bloom best in diverse gardens: different thoughts, feelings, mistakes, and hopes all make the yard richer. Plant your words, water them with patience, and remember — even on cloudy days, the garden is getting ready to bloom.