We’ve 5 dwarf apple trees on our property and oh my, how poorly they are doing. In yesterday’s glorious sunshine and mild temperatures, and without much skill, I began pruning them, in hopes we will get some decent fruit this year. The goal for a healthy tree is one leader branch, up to 6 main side branches, and enough, but not too many smaller branches with buds that will flower and fruit.
Makes me think of what we want in ourselves, eh? A main direction, those side branches that enliven our days, and an array of budding tastes, smells, textures, sounds, and images to inspire us.
But it also makes me think of our “leader”–the person in the White House whose branches seem to wave and weave in ways that are actually harming many people around the world and here at home. You’d think the senate and house of representatives would have the guts to prune back this madness.
OK–we need to breathe, focus on community, support the groups doing the hard work of providing needed services to folks (for health care, schooling, food, etc.), and let our politicians know what we think, what we need, and what we want them to do. Stretch–do some yoga, tai chi, qigong, go on a run, write a poem, cook a good soup, keep your spirit up. I tell this to myself even as I write it to you……
Pruning can be even more painful if you let it go too long between sessions. Here’s to regular, mindful maintenance of all the things in our lives that need to be reigned in!