Monday morning cup of thoughts

Springtime pruning

Working on my Japanese maples is one of my favorite pruning projects at winter’s end. I managed to prune my weeping maple in our front yard before the heavy snow. It has leafed out beautifully (photo above), the tiny buds ready to bloom.

I have a miniature lace leaf maple in a pot on my back deck that I was finally able to work on today. Likely due to the different exposures/elements, it is far behind the weeping tree in the front in terms of blooming this spring.

I make myself comfortable sitting on my mini stool while trimming away the dead branches, which on this small tree are incredibly delicate. There is so much to cut that I can sit for an hour and still miss much that should be deadheaded. The work is peaceful, zen-like. I use my miniature scissors, meticulously trimming the dead wood and removing any lingering dried leaves from last year.

It’s important to trim away the dead wood on a tree to maintain its health. Limbs will inevitably die off. If not removed, the tree will continue to send energy to the dead branches. Taking the time to eliminate the failing branches allows the tree to send its energy to the healthy limbs instead.

As I meticulously trimmed the tiny branches that were no longer thriving, I began to consider humans.

What if I took the same care of myself as I took today with my maple?

What if I lovingly trimmed away the dead wood after each winter, allowing myself— body, mind, and spirit— to thrive in the coming spring?

What if I considered that removing the dead wood would improve my health?

We mimic nature in all ways because we are nature.

A springtime ritual of trimming my life as meticulously as I do my maples… hmmm.

Likely not as easy as pruning my maple today.

Maybe more important than pruning my maple today.