We finally put away our Christmas decorations and as we were putting the gold reindeer away that greeted friends on the front porch (my Mom made them years back for our family home), Josh asked if I wanted him to throw away the poinsettias.
Funny enough, I had asked myself that question the day before. I was more pensive about it this year because we’ve never had poinsettias live this long.
Would I want to throw the plants that look like and feel like Christmas away because it wasn’t Christmas anymore? Or because neighbors might think we were late, lazy or not in timing with how things usually work?
I told him that I didn’t want to throw them away (and that I had asked myself that question yesterday) and had come to this answer, telling and/or helpful in other life situations, too: why would I throw something away that clearly has life in it still; that is alive and beautiful just because a particular season has passed?
We do this in our lives. We throw away a friendship because we believe a season has passed for that friendship to be able to continue to blossom. We don’t look for the spark, however small, to breathe life into it again. We get and stay busy and figure it’ll come back if it’s meant to. And though there are many relationships that understandably run their course for various reasons, many times, with more exploration, a smidge more curiosity or courageous conversation, we might realize that the friendship still has another nine lives in it and so much to teach both of us, not to mention much joy in it still, too.
We do that with who we are, too. With our identities. We throw away or ignore one of our primary talents — our life force — thinking that this talent or, maybe, more specifically, the dream tied to our talent was for another time, that it’s too late now…
Maybe worse, we pay who we really are beneath all of the societal layers and expectations little to no mind because we feel others or our industry [the box] won’t understand or accept it (or worse, that we won’t succeed). In other words, that we should play *within* the box because those around us won’t look kindly upon our striking (!) multi-faceted ways and are doing it this other way.
So, we toss…
We toss the friend, the possibility of an even better or deeper friendship and the possibility of an even better professional or creative life. And in doing so, we let a piece of our ultimate purpose, growth, healing, and happiness go.
What if every time we had the knee-jerk and rather impulsive reaction to throw something away, we knew that was the very moment we needed to keep it alive?
Make happiness your business by creating your authentic brand…enjoy your business, enjoy your life!
Life is good,
Michelle Ghilotti
Success Designer, Brand Activator & Social Entrepreneur