Squirrels invaded our yard last spring. I noticed the vermin crawling all over the rod iron trellises so they could nibble away at the climbing rose leaves. They stripped strawberries from the vine and gobbled up vegetables. By summer’s end, garden pots held sticks instead of plants.
The infestation began again a few weeks back when I planted for spring. My husband has trapped dozens, and there still isn’t an end in sight. So today, I’m going to buy some spray that promises to ward of the little devils. I cannot bear to look at my bare pots where I just planted delightful flowers.
This battle against the squirrels reminds me of the struggles to preserve the fruit of my labors. I ask myself this question as I write, “What strips away my creativity?” The answers come to me slowly.
Pouring my time into dysfunctional systems definitely rates near the top. So I try to curb what I do that lies outside of my focuses of writing, artwork, and creativity business building.
Steering clear of drama is another helpful practice. American culture thrives on sensationalizing the dark side of humanity. Too much time spent watching the news or reality television or forensic shows bites chunks out of my mental and emotional energy.
I also limit my fix of trying to fix others. Instead, I schedule times for writing and trying new art ideas.
Basically, the squirrels will crawl all over our creativity if we allow them to do so. We must believe that we deserve times for doing what brings us delight. If we do not ward of these time and energy drains, these pests will strip our gardens of artistry down to the bear nub.
Caregiving, followed by death.
And the little critters seem to take such delight in annoying us, don’t they?
Nice work with metaphor!