We have some hunting land near the Lake of the Ozarks, and over the past few years, have been working to make some improvements to the soil and wildlife habitat. (Well, my husband, mostly. I help) After planning and a nod from the Missouri Department of Conservation, we proceeded to prep and schedule a prescribed burn.
I was hesitant, though I knew it needed to be done. There was a thick mat of dead leaves and downed dead trees, and some leftovers from loggers. But I had been enjoying the black raspberries and blackberries that grow wild there, and of course my anxiety issues had me worrying about the cabin and other structures we have there.
Stick with me…I have a point here.
When the flames began to engulf the dead clutter on the forest floor, I found myself eerily excited about it. No longer concerned with the danger because we had done the prep work, I had the unsettling thought that I might have freed a pyromaniac lying dormant inside of me. I began to get lost in my thoughts as I tended the fire, and proceeded to grab my camera in hopes of creating a cool art piece for the cabin. It occurred to me that it wasn’t necessarily the flames themselves that were so exciting, it was the job they were doing…cleaning the forest floor to reveal a much greater potential for growth. And that growth will benefit multitudes.
What an interesting metaphor for life.
How often do our lives get so cluttered that it stunts growth? Bogged down with the day to day: work, home, petty annoyances, we can tend to get to the point where our vision is blocked, and our true potential doesn’t get the light it deserves. But, we fear what might come of change, and we stay stagnant. Even though we crave the purging of limiting beliefs and unhealthy habits, there is comfort in consistency.
Now, I am not saying that in order to reach your potential you need to burn your life to the ground and start over, but perhaps take some time to take inventory of the thoughts and practices that hamper your growth, and do some house cleaning. I have been doing a fair amount of that the past few years. Trying to purge bad habits, set boundaries, and release toxic mindsets isn’t easy. I fail sometimes. Honestly, I fail often. But, in those moments when I am able to clear the messy mind, personal growth and joy grows, and the sun dances on my soul just a little bit more.
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