Let Go to Embrace the New

It might take some new effort to head in a different direction but if we do our homework and make the best decision we can, more than likely we’ll end up in a better situation that can help us move forward.

I decided to replace a rhododendron that I’ve had in a pot for the last several years. It’s never flowered but it’s been leafy and healthy for most of the time I’ve had it. But for the last couple of months it’s seen a dramatic decline.

I went through every excuse to hold on to it: I’ve had it this long—I hate abandoning it now; maybe it’ll turn around; it doesn’t look THAT ugly with yellow shriveled leaves. But ultimately I made plunge and sadly said goodbye to it with a quiet thanks to what is left of the plant for the joy it had brought me over the years. Now the remnants of the plant are doing more good being made into compost.

It’s made me realize how often I behave exactly the same way in other aspects of life. How often do I justify holding on to bad habits or wait to start productive new ones simply because I may be comfortable with that status quo? How long do I have to go to bed too late and dash around in the mornings to get ready for my first work meetings in the morning rather than getting to bed when I’m tired and having a meaningful morning routine? Why do I ever buy into that false belief that I’m too busy to exercise this week but I’ll do better next week?

There’s rarely a better time than now to start making positive changes in our lives. I know it sounds so trite even when I write that, but I’ve learned it to be quite true as well. There are so many reasons why we don’t start down a path that might lead to healthier decision space and habits. But in general, making the first steps is the only way of actually making changes.

I know there are much more consequential decisions we make in life than determining whether or not we’re going to replace a plant. We decide on relationships, jobs, spiritual practices, health choices, and much more. There is a huge library of resources out there to help us weigh pros and cons in making the best decision on next steps. But once we have determined the best course forward, it can still require a lot of energy, stress, and faith to make those first couple of steps away from what we already know.

But just like with the rhododendron that I removed, now that I took those first couple of steps, I know have a lovely hydrangea that is doing incredibly well and brings even more joy and causes so much less stress than the dwindling old plant used to for me. It might step some new effort to head in a different direction but if we do our homework and make the decision the best we can, more than likely, we’ll end up in a better situation that can help us make steps forward.