this past summer i was putting some plants into the pots on my front porch. i had a couple of impatiens, an asparagus fern, a trailing ivy thing, and finally a spiky green thing. as i was squeezing them all into the pot, trying to make room for everything, i was thinking to myself, “i think i might have gotten carried away…i sure do wish i had a bigger pot for all these plants.” and then about that time the voice in my head replied, “even if you had one, you’d just overplant that one too.”
this is the story of my life.
by now you all probably know about my issues with the word ‘empty’. and so for the past three years, my little pot has been growing and and filling out. truly, i am so very grateful for the fullness in my life. it’s just that now i feel a little overgrown. a little top heavy.
i know this because of my complete meltdown after christmas with a ridiculous, unmanageable, unachievable to-do list. and honestly, i have felt this way a couple of times during the course of the year…my on-going battle with trying to squeeze too much into to short amount of time.
so when it came time to pick a word for the year, instead of choosing to add more to my already full life, i thought it might be wiser to scale things back a bit…PARE.
according to merriam webster, the official definition of pare is 1) to carefully cut off the outside or the ends of (something) or trim off excess or 2) to make (something) smaller : to reduce (something) in size, amount, or number.
trimming off the excess. yes.
i like to think of PARE as similar to pruning. which as any gardener will tell you is crucial to a plants health…vital to its continued growth. regular pruning keeps the visible part of the plant strong and vigorous. promotes good roots. keeps a solid foundation. this is what i need right now i think.
so in the coming year i want to peel away excess, unproductive busyness. trim away the soul-crushing, joy-sucking anxiety and worry that has crept in lately. this year my hope is to stay focused on the things that matter. stay connected to my life {through a practice of gratitude} to the beauty and wonder that exists.
to start with i have put aside my list. as my friend dotti says, the world will not stop spinning if my LIGHTROOM catalog isn’t completely tagged and keyworded. the baskets of stuff in my basement will eventually find a new spot. everyone has clean underwear.
today that is enough.
so in the spirit of my word, i am going to wrap up this blog post. trim off the excess. get on with practicing the art of my ordinary life.
wishing you a happy friday friends!
love, kelly
I think that is the perfect word. I have been doing a lot of that lately around here too. Paring down, getting back to simple. I do most of it to myself, like you. Great reminder and post Kelly!
“pare” is a perfect word for all of us, i think, kelly. it’s funny how a lot of women seem to choose similar words. “simplify” is one of mine this year.
although today was anything BUT simple. ; )
You’ve chosen a great word! I worked on paring down last year, especially the clutter of home, but I still have a ways to go! I’ll enjoy seeing where this word takes you this year!
Living with purpose is what it’s all about, I think. I love the idea of paring down and really selecting what you surround yourself with and how you spend your precious time. Nice word!