The Importance of Pruning

No... this isn't a jungle. It's supposed to be my cute container garden.

Not much "contained" about this at all.

I knew my tomato plants were growing out of control.  But I kept procrastinating on pruning the plant.  Tonight, as we took a stroll around our neighborhood, I couldn't ignore it any longer. Started trimming...

Then I got on a roll...

As I was pruning, I couldn't help but to be reminded how important this practice is.  If you don't prune, not only will you have a horticultural hot mess but the fruit of the plant will not get as much nutrients and water because all the other branches of the plant are fighting for the same things.

Cutting off the branch without any flower buds or fruit

How true is this in our own lives?  Everything is competing for our time, money, resources, and energy.  If we don't prune the excess out of our lives, then the important "fruit" in our lives won't get the full benefit of our resources.  Tonight was a good reminder that I need to take the time and prune different areas of my life- whether it be clothes I don't wear to useless tv shows to household items I don't use.  That way I'm left with more time and energy to redirect to the important things in my life.

Here is the "after" shot:

Less jungle. More cherry tomatoes!

What can you prune in your life that would give way to more priorities in your life?

Pencil in some YOU Time!

Today I was feeling overwhelmed:

  I have work to do.  I have bags to pack.  I have outfits (for rehearsal/wedding) to plan for this weekend.  I have food to prepare.  I have a(n adorable) dog to walk.  I have toilets to clean.  I have laundry to do.  I have presents to wrap.  I have e-mails to write.  I have friends to call back.  I have trips to plan.  I have a basement to unclutter. 

I could go on... but that wouldn't be fair to waste your time any more than I already have!

It seems we always have a long list of things to do.  We check things off one by one, but then more gets added on to the bottom so we never get to wipe the slate clean.  I have a tendency to physically not sit down until I have achieved as much as possible in my day.  Often times at the end of a day off when I sit down to dinner I realize that other than sitting in the car, it's the first time I have been off my feet all day.

I have learned (with some gentle encouragement from my husband) that sometimes I need to force myself to take some Me Time.  Me Time is sitting on the couch.  Reading a book.  Going to Starbucks (he he... just kidding!  Matt would NEVER recommend that!) Not checking e-mail.  Not working on a mosaic.  Not preparing dinner.  Not washing dishes.  Not doing laundry.  Literally being unproductive.

What I have come to realize is that Me Time isn't about me at all!  It actually refreshes everything inside of me to be more helpful to others.  It helps me to be a better friend.  I can listen better with an uncluttered mind.  It helps me to be a better wife.  I'm less frazzled and can focus on the moment and be more supportive.

So today- I encourage you to go turn your cell phone ringer off 

and put your feet up and make some YOU TIME!

p.s. I bet you're wondering what's with the photo!  Well,... you can't have a post without a photo!  (boring!) 

And I wanted to show you why I need Me Time.  It's to try and be a better KeRRi for my favorite boys.