In his book, Platform: Get Noticed in a Noisy World, Michael Hyatt uses an interesting expression: “Don’t feed the trolls.” This phrase has come to my mind often since reading it. Though the author was using it with regard to allowing “nay-sayers” to eat up your time by having to defend yourself or by allowing them to get you sidetracked by negative blog comments or Facebook posts, I feel that it applies to many different areas. It’s been on my mind a lot since the start of the year. In just a moment, I’ll share how that relates to this blog.

The blog title, “Petals from the Basket” came from a fefw different sources: (1) I love to weave baskets. Therefore, the word “basket” or the concept of a basket had to appear somewhere! (2) In the wedding planning book that I wrote, The Organized Bride, most of the chapters contain a section of fun ideas or helpful resources. This supplemental material within the chapters is titled “Petals from My Basket.” I wanted to carry that concept of sharing ideas and resources into the blog, but wanted to change the wording slightly. (3) Most importantly, I feel that the basket of my life is filled with many petals that represent faith, family, friendships, finances, fun, and freelance work! (Believe it or not, the alliteration was not intentional to start with!)

January is a great time to get organized, declutter, re-evaluate priorities, and set goals. Some things get added into the basket, and some get taken out of the basket. Because my birthday is one week after New Year’s Day—I joyfully turned 52 on Tuesday of this week!—I often use that day to think about where my focus should be in the coming year.

As I began looking at the various “petals” that I am currently tending to in the basket of my life, I decided it was time for some pruning. Some of the “trolls” are being fed with energy and resources that should be used for gently nurturing that which has the potential to grow into something beautiful and which can flourish if properly cared for.

So, I’m attempting to starve some of the “trolls” that have found their way into the petals I treasure! Things like excessive television viewing, too much time on social networks or favorite Internet sites, being consumed by things that serve no other purpose than fulfilling a whim, and even people who do not edify my daily life are a few of the trolls who will find an empty cupboard when they come a-callin’!

None of those things are bad when kept in the proper balance of all the items within the basket of my day-to-day life. But when they begin to grow roots and overtake the gentle petals of faith and learning and personal growth, they become like trolls that seek to devour the good. If I can maintain well-balanced use of these petals, they can remain, and the joy that can come from their refreshment will only brighten the colorful basket I call my life. But if they can’t….

I’m eager to get back to writing three days a week. I’m also eager for the opportunity to share more blog posts using the resources and life lessons taken straight from my life. Pruning a plant can seem painful, but it’s long-term purpose is to allow the petals to grow brighter and stronger and have a lasting beauty that doesn’t fade!

Let the pruning begin….

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Thank you for taking time to read “Pruning the Petals.”

What do you do to “starve the trolls” that want to take your time, talents, and resources?

Please feel free to “leave a comment!”

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