Weeding

A dear friend of mine gifted me two beautiful white crepe myrtles trees. They are mature plants that tower over my front door providing an arch of white fragrant flowers as you enter my home each summer.

The thing about Crepe Myrtles is that they have to be regularly groomed. Shoots are always trying to cover the beautiful cinnamon colored bark. It is an eternal labor of love to continually cut away the periphery shoots that threaten to hide the true plant.

I believe that each of us has a true self. That “self” that is connected to the Divine. Like the Beautiful Crepe Myrtle, we have to keep pruning the periphery limbs that threaten to hide or change our true self.

Remaining fully present in ourselves while being fully present in this world requires balance.

In the practice of yoga, to remain in the space of balance, you have to engage all of your muscles and particularly your core. There is no relaxing, it is continuous work.

I have thought a lot about serenity this week and the work that is required continuously to be in balance with one’s authentic self. Finding quiet time for reflection and meditation, regular exercise, time in nature, meaningful work, and time with my loved ones. Sometimes it’s hard to juggle all of those things in a day, week, or month.

But that is THE work.