Prickly, discarded cedar needles and such

After the rainstorm of the last days, before practicing yoga, I was sweeping the fallen cedar needles from the mats. They were old and brown and so had been cast off by the living tree.

Absorbed in my task of sweeping away the discarded cedar needles, it occurred to me that I should likewise discard some old and outdated thoughts that hang around in my mind much like the prickly dried out needles of the cedars.

When I carry too much old baggage from the past, which includes all memories with negative associations that serve no purpose unless they remind me of past mistakes not to repeat, I like the cedar needlessly carry useless weight that bears down on me similar to the drooping branches of the tree before it sheds and frees itself from the dead weight.

Once shed and let go, the branches spring back upwards to their intended resting height. I, too, shall benefit from the lightening of my mental housekeeping by a healthy upswing, coming to rest at my natural and intended spiritual place of Being.