Pruning

I recently went to a tree pruning class at the local community garden and have been anticipating giving it a try.  Well, today was finally the day.  I know, it's probably too late to prune but these trees needed it and probably haven't been pruned in two years.  So I grabbed some Fiskers tools and began pruning.  I mostly tackled dead branches and branches that were really growing wrong.  Pruning is kind of an addictive thing isn't it?  It is peaceful in nature, you can see the progress as the pruning progresses and you have some time to think.

A tree that's been left to grow wild for two years is a lot like a life.  Sometimes you get so busy and drop into a comfortable zone where nothing changes for a while and when you wake up and start noticing what's around you, you may find a bunch of dead "branches" that need to be cut free from your life.  People that bring you down, routines and practices that are not really a part of your best self and obstacles you haven't taken the initiative to break through.  The realization hits you that it's time for some pruning in the tree of your life!

Just like the tree looks healthier, happier and free from useless dead branches twining all around it and draining life from the tree, so you can feel all these things as you begin the journey of pruning unhealthy things from your own life.  It is not without effort!  (I bet my arms will be sore tomorrow...) But anything worth doing isn't always easy but the rewards are immeasurable!