Let’s finish up a story, shall we? 

 

A beginning, middle and now the next step to be near some sort of an end of this story.

For this season. 

 

You may recall that I talked about a small yellow tulip that stood on its own a bit ago. 

 

That tulip had leaves like ribbons that were bright green and stood out against the rocks. 

 

Do you remember?  

Tulips and leaves

What else do you have come from your memory of tulips and their leaves?  

I have always loved the way tulips let me know that spring is here, the newness and energy they bring to the day. 

 

And then I realize that these flowers last for a short time.  

 

A very short period of time. If I were in charge of the flower realm, they would last quite a bit longer, so their colorful bobbing heads were in gardens longer. 

 

Since I am not, we will continue. 

 

What happens next?  

The blooms slowly peel away, petal by petal. 

 

Then the leaves pull every ounce of energy available back into the bulb for the next year. 

 

Wait?  Say that again.  

Pull energy

The leaves do what? They pull energy into the bulb for the next year. 

 

Can you imagine this?  The leaves start as the ribbons of green, grow tall and then are that one thing that helps replenish the energy for the bulb. 

 

For the next growing season. 

 

Why is that needed?  

Isn’t one time enough with the beauty of the flower? 

 

No.  Not only are these flowers meant to withstand storms while bringing joy to their little space, they do it year after year. 

 

Here is what I found.  The leaves can look gnarly when they are doing their job of pulling in the energy for the next time around. 

 

Sometimes, I have been questioned about pruning back the leaves when they are full green or when they begin to turn a wee bit yellow. 

 

We need to wait, I say. 

They are doing important work now. 

 

Wait I do.  

 

Until they look like this. 

 

Every bit of energy is ready for next time. It is like they have geared down and ready for what comes next.

 

This week when I saw these leaves I sat back on my heels and paused. 

Pause

The pause gives me hope.

 

Days have been like these leaves for me recently. There was a holiday to remember those who have passed away before us and summer days ahead. 

Each moment brings me grand memories for each person we spent time with, plans for what is coming and calm in this space. 

 

I find myself pulling my energy back into my center to be able to do what is needed next. 

 

Have you done that? Use the energy that is in you to be ready for what is coming? 

 

Can we not use everything in us for that one time shazam?  Yes and then comes the recovery, my friends. 

 

That is also part of learning how to use our energy. 

 

Leaves like these also teach me a few more things. 

 

Do you see how some are totally dried up and laying out on the rocks?  

They have done their job for this season, time and get to be done. 

 

Well, good on ya!  

That is how I wish to be.

Know when it is time

Know when it is time to relax and let the time for energy to come back next time.

There are times when the dried up parts hold on and on.  That is not needed. 

 

Thank you for doing your part, my leaf friend.  You will be back for another season.  

Rest, my friend, rest. 

 

The next thing I see with these leaves are the ones that are still a bit brown and green. 

 

Oh my heart.  I love the resilience and tenacity of those leaves. They may have come up a bit later than the first ones so have more time to be green. 

 

Thank you for showing up and showing me how to preserve energy right alongside the leaves that are completely done. 

 

What if we were like that?  We shared our energy with others who had less than us? 

 

Then others shared with us when we were laying out in the sun completely done, baked and dried up? 

 

I love this thought.  One more thing to give me joy and brightness like the bobbing petals.

 

The story of these leaves taught me one more thing. 

There is hope for energy to come back to us, my friends. 

 

When we pull in our energy we can be ready for the next day, month or season that is coming to us. Even when it looks gnarly, dried up or with only a bit of color.

 

What does that look like for each person?  Perhaps so different and yet maybe not.

 

Energy this time of year for me is all about getting ready for summer mode and more grand plans. 

 

What is your energy being pulled into, my friend? 

 

Find it, create it and look for ways to share it when you can.