Pruning for Growth
Analogies from the garden
When in the garden, we prune for two main reasons.
To shape
To maintain
When we shape, we prune with vision. That which will become. The result.
When we maintain, we pull back within. Letting go of what is no longer serving vision.
Whether that be death or unwanted growth, we return to form and remain unexploited
The objectives are simple in the garden, yet the tasks require consistency.
You cannot neglect the garden, for weeds will intrude and the nutrients reroute.
When you see the surface overgrown with weeds, it’s a hint at the conditions below.
To enrich the soils, we must remove the weeds - their roots and all. We cannot ignore.
Ignorance leads to deterioration. When focus on the weeds, the garden deteriorates.
Be cognizant of all. The weeds are medicinal, when pulling them, also appreciate them
Not only for their value to you, but for the value they return to the garden as a whole.
When we have weeds in our life, we cannot simple cast them to the fire and burn them with all that which depletes our garden. We have to move with introspect and turn energy in our favor to further flourish our growth. When we let go, we do so with grace. We may load a boat with decay and ceremoniously set it adrift before flying an arrow into what was once life, it is the act in which we choose to let go of the weeds that bring us back to our central acts, where we can move our berth into new gardens to be prepared to receive and contribute. As a whole, we must take care of our personal oasis - in the wastelands of society, where a desert lies past every turn, we choose how we fertilize our earth and grow our garden into a botanical wonderland.
Why would we want to develop an arboretum? It’s the ultimate prize of unity. To be a Shepard of sheep, in a place where wolves never weep, we should strive to be studied by those who seek for examples of excellence in all breeds. If every pit-bull was evil, there would be none left to feed and extinction would damn thee. Yet, we find that they’re some of the best in terms of love, being extra cuddly. Sure, they play rough and can be balls of energy in some cases. That is man. If we cannot express our dual nature as a nurturer and warrior to those who either strive to harm or those that seek the one to be providing for community, then we are hardly meant to breathe.
To end the note, I’d like to share an image that contradicts the nature of this post to a degree. It’s not warm, it’s not soft. It’s hard and will hopefully help you return to focus. I am grateful for this individual in so many ways, most simply, for being a stern but loving force in my life from many hours spent together, never face-to-face, but being-to-being, his resonance has impacted me to continue to strive for excellence.