“Don’t cry because it’s over, smile because it happened.”
(Dr. Seuss)
The Walk into the Future blog works daily to bring a consistent level to the writing process. I had to look back at my archives and discovered I haven’t used the Five-Minute Thursday writing prompt since April 2025. I had a nice run going in 2024 but didn’t fully commit to this prompt in 2025. I’m not sure how much I will leverage it in 2026 but I’m bringing it back now.
I take an inventory every January as I’m creating my yearly goals to assess folks in my life. I’ve mentioned in earlier posts that I purposefully remove contact from folks I don’t have regular communication with anymore.
This Five-Minute Thursday prompt is: Pruning the Tree.
This concept is not a way to be mean or diminish anyone I had contact with. We prune rose bushes in early spring to promote new growth, maximize bloom production, and maintain healthy shrubs. Pruning the rose bush helps it grow, makes it stronger and removes dead wood.
Now imagine what happens to the tree (me) if I prune off limbs that are no longer beneficial or healthy. My tree would not continue to grow and provide the shelter or comfort most of my tree branches need in life. Pruning the tree is a natural process of growth for the tree, generates strong limbs and promotes growth. The tree becomes stronger and allows the remaining branches to grow, spread and eventually create their own branches. Yes, this is a longer metaphor than I expected but the concept has merits on growth and moving forward in life.
How do I know which branches to prune? Great question tree branches! 😊
I look for tree branches that are no longer healthy or promote the direction I’m going in life. This is not a condemnation on any tree branch but there comes time to move forward. Does the tree branch help grow my Walk into the Future? Does the tree branch continue to grow and provide comfort to others? The tree branch must be pruned if the answer to these questions is no. Simple, huh?
It’s not that simple but I move on each year from tree branches. The pruning is needed to enhance my Walk into the Future. Just like the rose bush, I need continual growth.
What do you need to prune in 2026?
Irie!
Calvin Williams
“One of life’s lessons is always moving on.”
(Roy T. Bennett)
Walk Into the Future 