HALESWORTH COMMUNITY CHURCH
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The option to grow
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I gave myself a challenge a year ago and have thoroughly enjoyed seeing it evolve. However, my challenge has given me a problem and I have the choice of three possible solutions.

A friend of mine coppiced an overgrown corkscrew willow tree. She potted up 40 cuttings and promised me one of them, should they take.  When my small willow tree was 7 inches tall in its 5-inch pot she passed it on to me for further TLC. Several pots later it’s now 4 ft high and looks wonderful. The roots of the willow tree search out water. To ensure there’s always water available, the pot has stood in a pot base 2 sizes larger than the pot. A sunny position and a continuous water supply have been just the right conditions to produce a miniature willow.

The problem is this willow tree is completely out of place on the patio. I could just leave it and maintain the level of TLC or I could plant it in much more natural surroundings. However, my garden is too small, though I’m sure I could squeeze it in somewhere. Alternatively, I could give it to a farmer friend to plant on the banks of his pond. Time will tell which option I choose!

I’ve thought of the times when I know I need to extend or change something I’ve settled into or become too comfortable with. One could say I’ve settled into complacency. I’m definitely not a risk-taker but I have found that stepping out of my comfort zone and taking a risk has proved very worthwhile. It’s all too easy to become static and therefore stale when we don’t give ourselves the opportunity to grow. I would be doing my amazing corkscrew willow tree a favour by giving it more space to grow and show off its true potential.
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Eventually any pot-bound tree, shrub or plant will lose its vitality and attractiveness. My challenge was to grow a corkscrew willow tree from a cutting. My dilemma at present is an accomplished challenge which needs further direction. 

Merle Sparkes
​​​​​​​​​​Return to Merle's reflections 2018 - go to Reflections 2019 - Reflections 2020 - Reflections 2021
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  • Home
  • Church Community
    • HCC meetings
    • About HCC
    • Our history
    • What is church?
    • HCC Community - Worship songs
  • Teaching
    • Sunday talks
    • Bible study
    • John's Bible Insights >
      • Living at rest
      • Remember the big picture
      • Build on the rock
      • Breaking patterns
      • 'In Christ'
      • A weak conscience
      • When it all goes wrong
      • The practice run
      • Love in human form
    • Halesworth Community News articles
    • John's notebook
    • Tim's notebook
    • Merle's reflections
    • Nature blog
    • Articles
  • Understanding Yourself
    • Understanding Yourself Podcasts
    • Introduction to understanding
    • Understanding temperaments
    • Understanding identity
    • Understanding anxiety
    • Understanding depression
    • Understanding ME/CFS
    • Understanding how to help others
  • Understanding Family
    • Expectant parents
    • New arrivals
    • Understanding children
    • Family life
    • Understanding men
  • Courses
    • Online course
    • Understanding Children course
    • Understanding Yourself courses