This is perhaps the 100th shrub I have planted in our yard during the past decade, and this tight tangle of roots gets me every time. Not all plants are so completely ensnared, but most seem to be at least this rootbound. Sometimes aggressive action is necessary because it is absolutely essential to free the roots from themselves. If they remain entangled, the shrub will never be able to settle into its new home. Earlier today, when I held this particular plant and gently worked to free the roots, I thought of how hard it has been to liberate myself from the constraints I created as a result of expectations of all kinds, some from within & some from family. Once I hit 50, though, my confidence with clippers increased significantly in the garden and in my life. Experience showed me that it really is OK to cut free some (but not all) roots in order for a plant, or for me, to grow. A plant will thrive in its new home when its roots are free & it has the water & nutrients it needs. As I write, I am increasingly curious about what roots I may choose to cut so that I can participate fully in conversations about climate, race & our nation's structural inequalities that limit our collective capacity to thrive. Who knows
what beauty will emerge from this call to dig even deeper?
4 Comments
Marc Morgan
6/22/2020 09:00:33 am
Powerful imagery. These photos create deep thoughts in me. Shalom
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Sarah Young
6/22/2020 01:28:45 pm
Lyn,
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Lyn
6/23/2020 02:01:41 pm
Thank you for your comments. I'm glad this imagery and this idea was powerful for you. And you are so right, Sarah, about the slowness of becoming rootbound - - It happens over generations and it can happen over the span of a few years.
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ELIZABETH O'HALLORAN
6/26/2020 11:31:46 am
Lyn, As others have said, this metaphor, as well as the about blueberries, are powerful for people of our age and stage. There are a lot of expectations set it the '90's that need a good pruning, and your upbeat approach to doing so is inspiring.
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Evelyn R. Swett
reframing the narrative in community and with myself, finding transformation and joy in the mess of it all Let's ReFrame!
is a somewhat regular 'viewsletter' that hopefully inspires joy & transformation. It will include links to recent blog posts & updates about my work. Oh, and I promise I won't share your information (that would be so uncool) and I don't actually do promotions, but that text is required. Archives
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