I really want to be a good “plant mama,” but the reality is, in this season of my life, I don’t have the time (or memory!) to keep up with plants. I inherited one of the plants in my counseling office, and this winter I thought it was on its way out. I felt bad because I had assured the therapist who gave it to me (she was retiring, and didn’t have the space at home for it) that I would take good care of it (I really meant to!).
So, all winter I pulled off the dead leaves, thinking I had fallen through on my promise to take “good care” of this plant; but, I kept at it. Pruning, pruning, pruning.
About 2 weeks ago I noticed something- there were SO many little shoots coming from where I had once plucked off what was dead. I’m a therapist, and I am also the kind of person who can find metaphors for most things in life. (Maybe you know where I’m going with this..)
In order for the new to grow (and thrive, really), the dead must be pulled away. We can’t grow the way we were intended to unless we are willing to shed the parts of ourselves that are no longer fruitful, the parts that are “dead.”
My clients- through their work in my office and out of session- are, essentially, pruning themselves. I am honored to help in this process…and, admittedly, quite relieved I didn’t kill this old plant!