‘Sometimes, the old parts of your life, even when they were good in a past season, can become a hindrance to new growth.
They must be removed to give space for the new version of yourself to flourish. Pruning will make the fruit of the next season that much sweeter, the vines of the new vintage, deeper and richer.
Adam McHugh
Today, the local council arrived to prune two large native trees located in our front yard.
The workers removed an excessive amount of foliage and branches, leaving the trees looking very bare and reducing the shade on our property.
However, pruning a tree redirects its vital energy away from dead or crowded limbs, and concentrates it into strong healthy branches for real growth.
And today I realised the similarity of this in my own life. Especially this year, I feel like I have been pruned significantly, and my identity has been cut back and exposed, revealing where my energy has been unconsciously draining me.
Like the tree, we can spend so much of our precious energy on our wounded weak limbs, or focusing our energy on other people’s needs instead of our own, which overtime drains the root system in our body.
When a gardener makes a clean cut on a branch, or prunes it vigorously, it looks harsh. It looks like a loss, and it feels the same in our own lives.
But until we feel safe to allow this pruning or the intentional removal of the behaviours that drain our energy, then real growth and fruit bearing cannot happen.
So perhaps it’s good to remember during challenging times, that pruning is not a punishment. Rather, it’s a protection, and provides the necessary steps to reveal our true nature, and the source of all life within us.
So true Karen, we gain our wisdom and understanding in life as well as our resilience and perseverance from being pruned back through difficult or challenging times. As you commented it is in the recognising and self awareness of our state of mind, emotion and energy that we can see the truth about ourselves and where change (pruning) is necessary. I personally thank God’s Holy Spirit for making me aware and giving me the revelation at the time I need it, but it is my decision to intentionally change that brings its blessing and the courage and peace come with the stepping out in faith believing it is for my good.
I agree, It’s a journey of learning for us all Ash and the more we listen and reflect, the more we see and understand. Thank you 🙏🏻🧡🌈
Haha, timing Karen. I’ve been putting off an operation for quite a while unsure whether I’ll react to the chemicals to put me under, like everything else. But, and as you said, my life is being swamped by all of that and I’ve lost the life I could be. Show time I think. And thank you for the wisdom. A great post kind lady 🤗❤️🙏
Aww it’s a big decision to make as you said, but I guess you have to way up the options and trust you will be looked after. Sending my thoughts and prayers to you Mark. 🌈🙏🏻🌿
Thank you Karen, and gratefully received kind lady. I’ll just stock up on lots of love too, that’ll fix it 🤣❤️🙏
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Such an apt description of what is necessary for all of us. Thank you. ♥️🙏🏻💜
Nature continues to teach me on so many levels Carrie. Thank you for being here. 🌿🧡🌿
such a great lesson and reminder
Thank you Beth! 🧡🌿 It was a moment of clarity for me and a deeper understanding of life.
Brilliant analogy, Karen. Thank you! 💜
Thank you Eliza. 🙏🏻🧡 I think we will all look at Pruning in a new way now! 🌿🌿
So well written, Karen. Thank you! 🙏🏼 This is exactly what so many of us are experiencing right now. Thank you again for this wonderful reflection. May your trees thrive, as well as your Self tree! 🌳
So true! 🧡 🌲This year has unveiled everything that is not aligned with our truth and our higher purpose. I hope we all thrive and bear rich fruit from this deep pruning. Thank you Ka! Many blessings 🙏🏻🌈🧡
I am hopeful also. It’s an endurance challenge, also. I want to be mindful of my energy because of the endurance challenge that life has become. I think this pruning is so we can focus on what is essential— as we keep discovering or re-discovering just how that translates into the day to day beingness we are called to! Thanks again, Karen! Your post really states it well.
An endurance challenge is a perfect way to describe this current journey! More ‘being’ less stress I agree. 🧡🙏🏻
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Many blessings, Karen. You are so appreciated here. 💗⭐️👏
A beautiful and timely reflection, Karen. Perfect for the ending of summer (up north), but also perfect for the springtime right around the corner down-under. It’s a time when we can let go of habits, old identities, and energy-draining obligations. I hope the winter has been a good one, and I’m sure you’re looking forward to the spring. 🌿 Take care ~
Thank you Randall. I think every season allows opportunities for change and new growth. And yes, spring has arrived and it’s beautiful. Enjoy the beautiful season of autumn 🍂 too! 🌿🌈
Love this post, Karen. It’s very timely for me. I have drained my root system and it’s time for me to care for myself. Thank you for the pep talk.
I’m so glad Michele. We all know when it’s time. Everyone around you will benefit from this decision. Happy nurturing my friend 🌿🌈🌿
Thank you, Karen.
Thank you for sharing this analogy on pruning, Karen. There are apples orchards a few miles from where I live. The trees are pruned quite extensively, which I never understood why.
During challenging life experiences that we face, it is very hard to understand. It does however in the end produce outstanding fruit. 🙏
Thank you Carl. It is hard to understand why we need to move through challenging times and pruning in life, but as you said, the end result of this loss, bears outstanding fruit. I appreciate your comment. 🙏🏻🌈
You are welcome, Karen. I read about the loss of your precious son Nathan on your “About Page”. I am so sincerely sorry. I can’t even imagine how difficult journey through your grief this has been for you. 🙏
Thank you Carl. The journey through grief is very difficult but now many years on, I have peace and have learned to live in presence with each precious moment. 🧡
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