#10: Pruning

Ever tried hard pruning? It is a radical approach, but if done properly, it is like starting afresh from a solid base.

Pruning.

Removing what is not required.

Cutting off what is no longer effective.

Reducing what is of no use.

Making space for the new, more vigorous.

Rejuvenation.

Pruning. It is a skill. It requires knowledge.

If not done properly, it can do more harm than good.

Deciding.

The Latin word decidere literally means «to cut off».

So, ultimately, pruning stands for making decisions.

You can’t decide on the future.

The future can only be chosen.

But you can decide on what from the past to take into the future.

Cut off the rest.

Pruning.

Some of the negative people you surround yourself with.

Lots of the stuff you own and never use.

Some of the activities that don’t give you joy.

The big dreams you have been chasing for so long.

The old habits you know are bad for you.

I went for hard pruning two years ago. Some of it hurt.

It has made space for new branches to grow.

I am feeling rejuvenated.

It wasn’t a one-off exercise. So I keep pruning.

It has become part of what I do and who I am.