Can you imagine being a seed though?

Like you're this little bitty thing, and then someone shoves you into the ground and buries you in the darkness. Suddenly, you crack, and you're broken. 

And then you notice something is growing. But like is that ok?? What even is it? What if I can't support the weight of it? What if I can't make it? What if I don't even have it in me to grow into a tree though?

But then you grow. Your stem hardens into a shield of bark. You grow leaves to catch the sunlight. You provide peace and comfort for those around you. You feel like you can touch the sky and the clouds, and the rain doesn't drown you in mud anymore, it just helps you grow more. 

And you remember how you felt as a seed. So very small, so very unsure of the future, so very scared to even grow so tall as the trees.
​
Yet here you are. You're not a seed anymore. You're the strong and brave and beautiful tree you dreamed of being, that you were even afraid to dream to be. 

What it would be like to be a seed, huh?

A very lovely young lady made a very good post this morning about the quote "You can't pour from an empty cup." In the post, she said, "I'm currently "refilling my cup" and trying to dive back into yoga and see what this meditation game is all about." And then she asked this question: 

• How do you refill your cup or try to make sure you're not pouring until your empty?

The question just sparked a flood of thoughts, and I felt compelled to share them with you guys as well.

I think I need this reminder.

Yoga and meditation are both things I need to try to start doing as well.  I always feel like I'm running on "Empty" and I'm working on trying to fill my cup back up. 

I think a good way to refill your cup is just taking time for yourself to do things that make you happy.  I think creating, whatever that entails, is a huge thing. It's taking time for yourself, and there's something about creating art that is good for the soul I think.

I tend to think that talking to people about what's bothering you is "self-care" but it's possible to overdo that (#guilty). However, what's interesting is writing a "letter" to yourself.  You rant and rave and get crazy in that first letter.  Then you step away for a minute, and then come back and reread it.  Then you write a letter back to yourself with the advice you would give to your best friend.  It's an interesting way to remind yourself that you deserve the same treatment from yourself that you would give to your best friend, and it really brings in a different perspective.  (Something I need to start doing again as well.)

Another thing I've read a lot about is going into nature.  The other day I went for a walk on a heavily forested trail by myself, and it was so comforting.  Meditation and nature is a good combination.

I think I'm about to start going into a list of self-care tips as opposed to the refilling your cups ideas, which could turn into a much longer essay than the one I've begun, lol.

But the last thing I want to say is this: you have to know when someone is draining your cup.  Sometimes people don't mean to.  I know I have a tendency to be very draining on people sometimes... but that's why everyone needs to be aware of how to say "no" even to people they love.  Saying no not only helps you from getting drained, but also forces the other person to be more self-reliant (hopefully anyway).  It's important to take care of yourself, and if someone is constantly draining you, how are you supposed to keep pouring for them, let alone yourself? There's a line between being there for your friends and family, and having them take advantage of you.  I'm not sure it's a definable line, because I think it might be different for everyone.  But you know when someone's energy is having a negative effect on you, and you have to take care of yourself. 

You can't feel guilty about it.  I had a friend that I loved very much, and in fact there will always be a special place for her in my heart. But she wasn't good for me, and she hurt me a lot. And as much as I want to be friends with her again, I know how negatively she impacted me.  It's kind of like how I know I've negatively impacted people who never want to see me again either.  It sucks, but negative energy is so draining on people, and you can't push your negativity at people all the time because it just puts holes in peoples' cups. And who wants to hang out with someone who keeps putting holes in their cup?! lol

By the way I'm going to be thinking on this topic all day now.  Thanks. :P