Are You a Thorn or a Branch?
I recently heard a sermon regarding how we look at ourselves. We are spiritual beings having a physical presence on Earth. What are we doing with our spiritual selves? How are we connecting to other spiritual beings? These types of questions ran through my mind when thinking about my spiritual connection to others but mainly to myself.
Honestly, when I was younger, I never gave much attention at all to being spiritual. All that kind of talk reminded me of ghosts or something of that nature. My mind automatically thinks back to the movie “Ghost” if some of you can remember. I loved the movie but I didn’t want to think any deeper about being a spiritual being.
Now I realize the importance of getting the most out of every moment I have left breathing in and out. I don’t want to look back over my life and think “what if” about anything I wanted to do, wanted to try, and did not go for it. Not because it was impossible to attain but because I was too afraid to try. Too fearful of stretching out and becoming “all that I can be.”
Can you relate to being too scared to even start a new thing? You dismiss in your mind the concept of reaching for something better and list all the roadblocks that could potentially stand in your way. Have you ever discouraged yourself?
This is where spirituality comes into play. You are a spiritual being even if you do not know it yet. The discouragement that speaks and tries to tell you that “you’re not good enough…You don’t have what it takes to succeed, to overcome, blah blah blah.” You know the words that you speak over yourself. Our spirituality can be used for a positive influence or a negative one.
Learn to listen to the positive aspects of your spirituality and believe that victory is within reach even for you! Life hands each of us so many situations, circumstances, and challenges that must be dealt with. Life can be so hard that it can seem impossible for us to move forward with a positive attitude. Let’s face it though, there are certain times (people, places, things) that try our spirit and make us feel as if we can’t move positively. Remember, spirits can help us or they can hurt us. Which spirit are you listening to and believing?
The Thorn
“A thorn is a branch that tried to be but just could not get there. The thorn does not have the strength to stretch out.” This is what was mentioned in the sermon. Why did this statement affect me the way it did? I tried to have my moment in life but refused to stretch out and do what it took to reach my potential. I never allowed myself to become fully developed cause I always talked myself out of believing that what seemed impossible could be achieved.
Trauma combined with my own limiting beliefs about myself, caused me to remain a very short branch (a thorn) instead of reaching out and being a branch that is useful to not only myself but to others. Can anyone relate to allowing your trauma or circumstances to stop you from reaching your full potential? I was my own worst enemy because I realized being too hard on myself nearly cost me my dreams. It was me who kept self-sabotaging my dreams and limiting my capabilities. I was choosing to listen to my toxic spirit and barely gave notice to the faint whisper that tried to interject “You can do this.” What spirit are you listening to?
The Branch
I changed my attitude regarding my life. I became more thankful for the little things and refused to wait for something big to happen before being grateful for my life. That baby step opened up a bigger door that transitioned me from seeing myself as someone with little to no skills to someone who can be a help, i.e. be a blessing to someone else! It takes time to trust that you can move from being a short thorn to transforming into a long and sturdy branch. My spirit has learned to forgive those who harmed me and more importantly, I have learned to forgive myself. That is when you know you are ready to serve others.
The transition from what you thought back then to the way you think about yourself today is monumental! Are you ready for it? By opening up my spirit and understanding that I am more than negative thoughts and beliefs, by leaning into gratitude and fighting off those same negative thoughts and influences that tried to hold me back…my world has opened up and introduced me to an array of beautiful people who believe they can make a difference too!
All our branches together make up a big beautiful tree that reflects strength and glory! This morning I woke up and birds were chirping in the tree next to my window. It was a lovely sound to hear and reminded me of being a child and climbing the tree at my grandmother’s house. It was a lovely memory to reach back and reflect on. Get all you can from the moments that you have. When my moment is over in life, I do not want to remain a thorn. I know that I am a branch and this is my moment! Today, I live.
Are you ready to start living too or are you going to remain a thorn knowing you are truly a branch? Stretch out and believe!
About the Author
Name: Stephanie Myers
Professional Title: Your Bias Breaking Beauty
Bio: Stephanie Myers helps women, particularly those in male-dominated industries, manage the biases they face in their jobs.
Website: biasbreakingbeauty.com
Social Media Handle:
