As I drove two towns over to my Chiropractor appointment today (yes, I really love my Chirpractor - enough to drive 45 minutes just to see her,) I noticed warmly dressed men with large pruning shears out in one of the orchards.
Could it be pruning time already? The snow is on the ground and it is still very cold, but there they were, working diligently through the rows of trees, leaving piles of sticks behind them.
The sight filled me with joy, because it made me think of all the blossoms I would see on the trees in a few months. And I thought a while, on the purpose of pruning.
The dictionary says:
Prune/Pruning
1. to cut or lop off (twigs, branches, or roots).
2. to cut or lop superfluous or undesired twigs, branches, or roots from; trim.
3. to rid or clear of (anything superfluous or undesirable).
4. to remove (anything considered superfluous or undesirable).
While moving, I feel as though I've been doing some pruning of my own - removing things that no longer serve me, or that I will no longer use. It's a good feeling to clear away things, but I do suffer from a bit of guilt when I put something in the "giveaway" or "goodwill" boxes that has been given to me by a friend or family member. So many things though. What do you do?
Another project I'm thinking about (not that I need another one) is picking up a book from Oprah's list, called "The 21 Day Consciousness Cleanse" by Debbie Ford. Even though I've come a long way, I still struggle with regret about things in my past, and limiting feelings about myself. These are things I would like to prune, including guilt, fear, and self-doubt.
I think I have a whole new appreciation for pruning. Although I don't envy the men I saw today out in the cold, I know that their efforts will pay off. I'm hoping that by putting in a little effort in my life and doing a bit of pruning, I may have some blossoms of my own, come Spring!
19 comments:
Ah...spring blossoms...nothing sweeter...
And I'm right with you there with the pruning...I've had to do plenty of very drastic pruning in my life...and I'm much better for it...
But...I think that doubts and guilt and fears are just a normal part of being alive...our minds seem to be made this way...pruning the right parts IS healthy...but too much pruning and the die-back, for some plants, is too detrimental for survival...seems only the thuggish plants survive...unfortunately...
You are such a sweet, caring, lovely young woman...you shouldn't struggle with these things...
Things in our past are just lessons...if we have learned our lesson...then we can move on...
It's when we repeat them over and over that we should be worried about them...
Now I suppose that I should be out in the orchard to check on my baby trees...maybe when it warms up a bit though...
~my grandma used to say "all the months with r's you can transplant and prune out in your garden/yard" her world was always surrounded by beautiful flowers!
as for pruning away at your life...snip, snip...slowly but surely...i struggle with fear and guilt and have been striving to let it go...i really like her blog...
http://the-penny-has-dropped.blogspot.com/
as she is dealing with fear! the past is done and we can not change what has been...let go of regrets...free yourself from the weight that comes along with it...we are living now...for today...tomorrow and all those to come...a road that can be scary...stepping out against fear...but how very empowered you will become! as you are cleansing your home and mind i wish you comfort in your decisions of what stays and what goes...brightest blessings~
I think a lot of fear that comes hand in hand with the pruning is, "What if I cut too deeply, what if kill the tree of myself?" However, from my own experience, in life, as well as the garden, is that that which is pruned is often resillient. Sometimes a vigorous pruning can lead to an amazing growth in beauty and fullness in the years to come. We're all resilient, as are the plants, and will continue to grow and strive, put forth blossoms and leaves, sway in the wind, and feel the sunshine upon our faces.
Beautifully written and what a great thought. The idea of cleansing and pruning back. In the end it will make life easier but while the pruning is happening it can be scary.
Self-care, that's all that matters!
Cheers!
Been doing some pruning myself. Those size 10 blouses are never going to fit me again. Time to face it. And my house is being overrun with books. Was time to get rid of my college texts, but the library said they didn't have room. So each week I have been putting a few in a clear plastic bag on my curb, and within 30 minutes someone has taken them. At least they are going to use.
Mary
I find it hard to get rid of things too, because of emotional attachment, but oftentimes, later, I realize that it is time to let it go, and it isn't so painful, so I wait to let it happen.
As for regrets, I try not to dwell on them, because they can really cause me pain, wishing that I had handled things differently. But I've realized too, that it is in those moments , that I have grown and learned. While not pleasant, maybe our memories are to show us how far we have come in our personal and spiritual growth.
I think that you are doing beautifully on your self evaluations and discoveries, and have no doubt that your personal Springtime will be filled with fresh new beauty!
I think you are already beginning to blossom, Rue. You have so many new and exciting things happening in your life. I think that you just need to wait til spring to fing out exactly which blossom you will bloom into.
I think realistically we all have fears Rue and they don't go away until you stare them in the face and walk right through them. But the regrets - we have to work on differently. Sometimes they go deep for reasons we are barely aware of ourselves. Still, you have to let them go for regrets are what most keep us from living in the present happily then moving forward. You blossom all through your blog! Orange is my favourite colour and has been for as long as I can remember...
I didn't realize either that this can be a pruning season - but then it is 5 degrees outside this morning with a clear sky... I appreciate the information about pruning during months with 'r's' in them Must keep tht in mind - notice the months of may, june, july and august don't have 'r's'. And Ryan's words on pruning - yes I think I do get fear when cutting on my plants and bushes. My husband doesn't, in fact I feel he goes too far in the other direction - almost down to the ground...
Sobeit
I have a tendency to be such a pack rat. Especially when it comes to things given to me by others, so I feel your pain. But yes, there does come a time when you've got more stuff than you can carry and you have to dispense with some because it starts to weigh you down. I'm very interested in the book you mentioned, I haven't heard of it.
Good luck with your pruning, darlin - and your blossoming. ;-)
Why do we save things we have no more use for? I think if I find out what the pay off is for me...getting rid of the stuff would be so much easier from the get go and the cut off much more complete. There is always room for pruning though..I find! Cool topic!
I totally understand the need for pruning in one's life and outlook. I can say that even though this can be difficult, it's totally worth it. Once you're able to let go of all that dead weight you will have room and energy to blossom as beautifully as any rose or cherry tree.
As to getting rid of *things*, the biggie is to know that you are not getting rid of the people who gave them to you or their love, just bits and bobs you've outgrown.
Good luck with the move and all your pruning!
I know exactly what you mean. The guilt of giving away a gift is pretty hard to get over. When we got married we were gifted with an abnormal amount of bath towels, all in cream, off white and white.
The idea of taking them back was too much and now nearly 10 years later I can have a hoard of small children visit to splash in the wading pool and run through sprinklers and still have some left over for the adults.
One of the best things about moving is the pruning, also the most stressful. I can honestly say that I've kept things for years, dumped them during a move and then gone looking for those things when we've moved because I've thought of a use for them.
Pruning literally and figuratively. Very nice connection!
This was a very compelling post for me. I actually came over and read it on Saturday (I think)but had to go away and think about it.
After moving 4 times in two years (once to another state) my house has been pruned hard. I still have more to do but the worst of the dead wood was left behind several moves ago. Difficult but necessary.
As for emotional pruning.... that too has been in progress for a long time with me. Fear, regret, sorrow, anger... all of these I have been working on for years. And I think that it is going well. There are some things that I will never totally work through, I'm sure. There will always be some regrets in my life. Some sadness. But that's okay. You can't make a soup without adding a little bit of salt and pepper. Same with life. How can you truly enjoy the good times if you have nothing to compare it to?
I hope that your pruning goes well, but be easy on yourself. Pruning too much, too fast can cause shock and damage that is just as bad as not pruning at all. May your blossoms grow strong and healthy!
Well said! I am already looking forward to Spring. :) I'm going to have to checkout the Oprah 21 day cleanse as well!
I really appreciate all the wonderful, thoughtful responses here! You are such wise bloggers!
Hooray for pruning! Spring will be here soon!
I have to say, while I normally adore winter, I'm getting spring fever. I had such an enjoyable spring and summer last year, I'm highly anticipating those seasons this year as well.
Plus, I love summer vacation. :)
I've been doing some 'spring cleaning' around here as well...getting rid of things I simply no longer need or whose usefulness has been outlived.
So booyah for pruning! :D
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