It’s crazy how simple things in life become life lessons. Like trimming rose bushes.

I stood there with my shears, snipping away, watching a pile of roses gather. They were still beautiful, even though past their prime. But I knew they had to go if I wanted another full rose bush in the near future. Still, it’s hard for me to say goodbye to blossoms, even when they are tinged with brown, and their season is over.

My mind went to the journey to be healthier inside and out. There are a lot of “roses” I have to trim away there, too.

1) The approach to food of my youth. I could eat anything and not gain. I enjoyed this little rose of life, but it long ago withered away.

2) The idea that life gives me the movement I need. There were seasons where I walked across a college campus, marched in a band, went swimming, or chased babies. Life  included healthy movement without it being intentional. That is no longer.

3) The belief that I can care for others without intentionally taking care of myself in a practical sense. It was probably never truly a rose, but there were seasons I handled a lot with little practical self-care. Somehow I thought I could pray enough and journal enough that I could just keep going. That season, too, is gone. God is there to empower and strengthen me, but He still expects me to make wise choices with how much I give out compared to how much I take in. He expects me to think about boundaries and time management and saying no.

These big picture beliefs aren’t simply weeds I need to periodically pull. They have to be completely cut away, gone forever. They may have bloomed in younger seasons, but they cannot flower in my life now. I need whole new paradigms if I’m to be physically, emotionally, mentally, and spiritually fit.

What about you? Need to cut away any wilted roses so you can be in full bloom?

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Cutting away old thinking

PS Wanted to give a shout out to my very sweet hubby! Today he received a rank advancement with Life Force International, becoming a silver elite. After the parent company of our franchise closed their doors last summer, Jerry has worked tirelessly to build from a new place, changing approaches and paradigms. I have always loved who Jerry IS . . . and I’m also loving the businessman he is BECOMING! Congratulations, sweetheart!

(And thank you to all the Life Force folks who have given us such great support. You are truly a blessing! A special shout out to Ben, Allison, Robin, David, and Alex.)

Tagged: being new, life force, Life Force International, new thinking, old thinking