Palm In My Pot

 

Have you ever noticed something that wasn't right, needed to be removed or changed, or was causing some negative consequence but it wasn't big enough to be a real issue so you ignored it? Did that seemingly small annoyance grow and grow until changing it was a lot more work than it would have been had you addressed it right when you became aware that it was a problem? I lead a very busy life so I can give many, many examples of this, from my own "learning the hard way" self.

It was quite a while ago that I saw that a palm tree was growing in my flower pot. I didn't want it there but was too busy with other, more urgent issues, and didn't think that this one was a big deal. Because it wasn't. Initially. So, in the rare occurrences when I actually used my own front door, it would catch my attention and I would make a mental note that I needed to take the few minutes to pull the little tiny, easy to be pulled plant, out of the pot.

You can probably see where I am going with this. Have you ever had a small amount of pain or dysfunction in your own body that you were aware of, but because it wasn't screaming at you, and other things were, you let it go instead of taking care of it when it was small?

Today I finally decided to pull that palm out of the pot. I remember hearing that palm tree's roots are not very deep. I did not think it would be a big job that would take more than one quick and easy tug. But when I gave it a quick and easy tug and I realized I was wrong. When I used my tiny garden shovel to break up the roots, loosen the soil, and act as a fulcrum, the little bugger still wouldn't budge. I twisted and turned and pulled in all directions but those roots were stronger than I. My husband, Thomas, saw me struggle and, although he had just showered, was not in the mood to be digging up a (baby) tree, had other things planned for his time, he (attempted) to come to my rescue. He came in fast and furious, and with manly muscles, to muscle the tree (okay I'll call it a tree here for his sake), and it just wouldn't release.

How many of you realize that there is an issue within your own body. Decide you have to do something about it. Think that it will be easy, and quickly realize that it is going to take more effort than you had planned? How many think that you can muscle it to make it go away or get better? How many of you come in full force, with a strong intention, and a short time line to dedicate to the issue? How many of you get frustrated and leave the job because it doesn't go according to your plan?

Maybe your body needs more time. Maybe you are using the wrong tools (and instead need John Barnes Myofascial Release® 🙂). Maybe you need finesse rather than brute muscle strength. Maybe you need to use a little more gentleness, kindness, care, and patience.

That little issue probably would have been very easy to take care of, if it was taken care of right away. If you want to shorten your timeline for dealing with your body it would be a good idea to jump on addressing the issue immediately instead of waiting until it grows into a, well, a tree.

Sometimes we just can't. We have too many things pulling at us, calling for our attention, needing urgent care. So we follow those calls. When we do, and then we finally realize the little thing that we knew we needed to take care of within our own body, is no longer a tiny thing, and it finally gets it's turn, we need to realize that the longer it had time to grow and root down deep, the longer it may take to get it out.

When you do address your issue that may have started out small, and you are able to clear it out and make room for new things to find their way in... The most beautiful things can blossom and bloom in it's place.

I hope this helps for you to be aware of any baby palms that are growing in your life, no matter the stage of development. I hope that you hear me cheering you on as let it grow into a full sized tree, or clear it out to make space for something new.

Love, Mya