A Push for Something New

I once heard, from someone who made a study of trees, that the Live Oak trees here in Austin don’t just drop their leaves.  The old leaves are pushed out by the new ones. 

These days when you look around our current landscape here in the capitol city you will see masses of brown leaves on the ground, on rooftops, in truck beds, and in your hammock.  It’s kind of a strange sight, considering we are busting out in springtime colors everywhere else.  It’s like a mixing of death and life, old ways and new plans, last year and this.  But it’s that pushing that has me thinking.  

When you’re in the transformation game, as we are as soon as we step on the yoga mat, these anomalies that Nature displays provide an opportunity for self-study and personal reflection.  So in case you haven’t guessed where I’m going with this, I’ll ask you a few questions as if you are an Austin oak tree:

❓What are you holding on to that needs a push to finally let go?

❓What new ideas are bubbling up inside of you that need to come out in the world but can’t because you’re still clinging to the old, safe way of doing things?

❓What new relationship, career, or life transition is trying to birth its way into your life and you can feel the pressure building? 

❓What has you standing on the skinny branches full of excitement for what’s new and fear of the unknown all rolled into one? 

One thing that a life on the mat brings us is an ability to tune in to the subtle messages of our body and mind.  You might know years ahead of time that change is a-comin,’ even if you don’t know what it will look like.  You get early inklings that something has lost its luster, and only friction will return it to its original shine. Perhaps something needs to not just be released or surrendered but pushed out of your life in order for that new thing to come into being. 

I don’t know if it’s hard for the tree to push out the old leaves, but I know we’re not trees and we tend to be deeply invested in our attachments.  Clinging is one of those ancient tendencies that causes us humans to suffer, even though our heart tells us it’s time for change.  

So maybe take a moment and consider your current leaf situation.  What’s old, what needs a push, and what’s possible if you just make that change sooner rather than later? 

May you be inspired by these beautiful oaks and find the strength and courage to push out the old and make way for the new, filling your life with the bright green lushness of Spring.  

Much love,

Jess

P.S. If you want to do your yoga really close to nature, join me on Sunday, May 22 for some free yoga as part of Castle Hill Fitness' Workouts at Waterloo Greenway.  I hope to see you there!