We often view trees with no leaves as bare and ugly. Indeed, leaves dancing in the breeze with grace are picturesque, and much of a tree’s identity is in its leaves.
You can tell the type and species of a tree by its leaves. You can also tell how much nourishment a tree is getting by how vibrant its leaves are.
However, those leaves that add beauty to a tree only appear when conditions are favorable – when temperatures are warm and rain is sufficient. Leaves thrive when they are getting their needs met by the tree.
Some people will only show up in your life when things are good. As long as they are getting their needs met, they’ll stick by you. They are unstable and go wherever the wind blows, but they will stay attached to you as long as it serves them. They add colour and vibrancy to your life, but drain you because they don’t contribute to your well-being.
Then…your season changes.
The wind blows stronger and you start going through hard times. Your problems force you to focus inward, and because you’re not feeding those leaves anymore, they wither and fall by the wayside.
[ctt template=”5″ link=”6VbdA” via=”no” ]Don’t be discouraged when you shed some leaves. Those people are not equipped to handle your storms.[/ctt]
Their absence will not destroy you – quite the contrary. They will fall to the ground today, break down, decay, and become nourishment for your tomorrow.
It hurts when they leave but these are the best goodbyes. The wisdom and resilience you will gain from their departure is priceless.
The tree survives the inevitable winter and ultimately grows new leaves in the spring. So will you.
Vimbai E. is a content marketer, ghostwriter, and the founder of The Weight She Carries. With hundreds of articles and stories publishing online, in print and for broadcast, her love of language and storytelling shines through every piece of writing that bears her name.