As I gazed upon my venerable 80-year-old apple tree, recently pruned in an effort to revive its productivity, a poignant analogy struck me. Much like the tree overwhelmed with an abundance of fruit that never had the chance to mature, our lives too can become laden with excess—too many commitments, possessions, and relationships, leaving us with little room to thrive.
In 2023, my beloved apple tree's branches were burdened with an overabundance of fruit. The crowding was so severe that light struggled to penetrate, and apples, packed together in threes and fours, never reached maturity. Instead, they rotted and fell prematurely, denying me the winter joy of a freezer filled with apple pies. It was a stark reminder that sometimes less is more.
As we approach Imbolc on Friday, February 2nd—a symbolic halfway point between Winter and Spring—it's an opportune moment to take a cue from nature. Just as the garden demands pruning for a bountiful harvest, so too does life require periodic trimming of the unnecessary and the burdensome. It's a chance to reassess, declutter, and shed aspects of our lives that no longer align with our vision for the future.
This pruning process may involve clearing out the wardrobe, simplifying surroundings, or even re-evaluating connections with friends and loved ones. By snipping away what no longer serves us, we create space for light and air to permeate our lives. It's about fostering an environment where growth can flourish, much like the magical transformation that Spring brings to a well-tended garden.
So, as we stand on the cusp of Imbolc, let us be mindful gardeners of our own lives. Take the shears of self-reflection, cut away the excess, and release what holds us back. In doing so, we open ourselves to the transformative magic that lies ahead when Spring arrives—a season of growth, renewal, and the promise of a bountiful harvest in the orchard of life.
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