See the small leaves growing out of the very top of the tree? It loves being near this window. (And I'm sure the hours of piano music it hears every week helps too. :) )
It is, however, kind of stuck in the corner, as you can see. I have the bookshelf bolted into the wall for stability, so it can't be moved. Nevertheless, I am happy with the rate of growth of this tree. (Especially considering the fact that I forget to water it, hence the yellow leaves.)I noticed something a few days ago. It is regarding this particular branch of leaves.
I think this branch of leaves should be really happy where it is located: right next to my church manuals and French books. However, when you look more closely, you will see that one of the leaves is a LOT smaller than the rest of the leaves on the branch.
The direction the branch is growing is toward the bookshelf, and this small leaf happens to be pushing up against the edge of the bookshelf in its natural position. However, being in this location has caused the leaf to be stunted in its growth. All of the leaves on this branch are healthy; however, this particular leaf is smaller than the rest of the leaves on the branch.The bookshelf is immovable. The branch itself is pliable. Had the branch moved, even just a little bit, this leaf would have had the chance to grow into the leaf it was meant to be. But the leaf just stopped growing. Its progression has stopped in its current location.
Am I like the leaf? Am I going to let a "bookshelf" get in my way of progression? Or am I going to find an alternate solution so I can grow into the person I want to be and am meant to be?
(P.S. I myself moved the branch after taking this picture so that the leaf can now have a chance to grow.)
(Do you see any other parallels in this parable?)
10 people wanted to leave a comment:
You are waaaay too smart for me. :)
Great parable! I'm going to be thinking about what my bookshelves are. Pride, of course, but I have to figure out in what areas it is most damaging to my growth, and then, how to move the dang thing.
Oh you can save this one for a lesson or talk sometime. And yes, sometimes we do just have to change our direction in life a bit, even if we really want to go that way
Great analogy. I just wish someone would come along and move all of my bookshelves for me instead of me having to move them myself :)
Wow. I'll be thinking about this one for a while!!
WOAH, awesome analogy!!! LOVE this!
Hi, I'm just catching up, and read about the letter about the supposedly untended yard, and man, some humans can be horrible examples of human beings sometimes. I hope the recipients were able to immediately realize the letter-writer is plumb crazy, burn the letter, and move on without letting it get to them. But it's a shame they had to see it at all.
Just passed by your blog, you have a scheffelera. They are tropical, so if you live in south Florida, you can transplant it. Give it room to grow and spread it's leaves.
Excellent analogy. Sometimes I think *I* am the bookshelf that stands in the way of my growth. Just me. Nothing else.
This is awesome! I have to agree with Lara -- it's usually me that stands in my way of progress. I can't seem to admit that I'm the one holding myself back.
I enjoy having plants around too and this is just plant stuff here, but sometimes yellow leaves actually indicate TOO much water or possibly soil deficiency. I like to get those little JOBE's fertilizer spikes and they really make a big difference! Maybe the fertilizer is like reading our scriptures or something!
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