Jan 4, 2011

new growth




I found this little tree on the other side of my block last week when I went for a walk. It reminded me of Charlie Brown's Christmas tree, and that made me smile.

It's thin and scrawny and not weighed down by all those decorations, all that baggage we carry around with us to present a pretty picture of ourselves to the world. I like that. I like seeing the bare bones beneath the grand facade, the reality, the simple truth.

That is where the true beauty lies, in the face we show when no one one is looking, the scars and the wrinkles and the freckles and the honesty.

There's something to be said for standing out there in the cold, for all the world to see. Exposed to the elements, weathered, real.

Something to be said for not always trying to fix things up, hide the flaws, make things perfect.

I was born a perfectionist, and I've spent a lot of time in my life trying to fix things, trying to make them into what I wanted them to be, trying to achieve the vision I had of what my life should look like.

I wasted a lot of time wishing for what I did not have, rather than enjoying the truth of what was there, right before me. The beautiful truth. The cracked open, weather worn, this-is-the-life-you-have-right-now truth.

Instead of fixing what was broken, I was breaking what wasn't. I couldn't see the forest through the trees. I kept looking at the shiny bits. I was drawn to them, but they always managed to elude me. Those baubles and bows did not belong to me.

Slowly, I learned to look past them, below the surface, to admire character and grace and simplicity. I learned to breathe in the life I have and hold it, cherish it, savor it, even when it may not be all that pretty.

These days, I feel a little more like this tiny tree out there in the open, beneath that big blue sky.

There is room for growth, and I find that I am able to pull myself up to full height and smile, even as the wind rages around me.

Because I know now that I can take it.

I have finally put down strong roots.

20 comments:

Bonita Rose said...

being strong in who you are and what you believe in is so important.. I loved reading your post this morning.. hugs, and what a great image! hugs fr bonnierose

Laura said...

What a beautiful image and sentiment to go along with it. Happy New Year!

Roberta Warshaw said...

Excellent post today.

Heather said...

This is an AMAZING post, I love it. I am going to print it out and pin it to my desk...thank you, I needed it! What an inspiring way to start the day. - xxoo

Jamie said...

What a brilliant post - I had no idea how much I needed to read this until I finished and then went back to read it again and again. Thank you!

Kerri Farley said...

Excellent post!

Lisa Gordon said...

This is such a beautiful post and image.
Thank you for sharing it.

Kim Klassen said...

no words... but much gratitude...

truly beautiful my friend.... xxo, kim

Marcie said...

Beautiful!!!

Rosie Grey said...

What a wonderful post and such a beautiful and apt picture to go with it! Thank you!

Unknown said...

This is such a fantastic post! What you said resonated with me so strongly, thank you!

Kathryn Dyche said...

Loving this post, beautiful.

Anna said...

Powerful post and image. Thanks!

ELK said...

kelly .. i am touched by your writing as always .. seems as if i see myself in the words..and that little bitty tree...

Unknown said...

oh,
yes .
how I know.

Leah C said...

A most beautifully written piece! It really hit home with me..."instead of fixing what was broken, I was breaking what wasn't"...it only took the perfectionist in me 4 decades to realize that:)

Suki said...

very wise words. I wish I could apply this on myself too.

Prairie Girl Studio said...

just now ... i felt you reach out and hold my hand tight ... and it was very real indeed ... : )

you have given us an exceptional gift ...

with love and sincere gratitude ~
prairiegirl
xoxo

dbalyoz said...

thank goodness for the charlie brown trees and for all they help us to be. thanks for sharing...xxo denise

Dee J. said...

The truth of this post has deep roots too.