This photo is of a Vinyard following a winter dusting of snow. Have you ever looked at how vineyards are cared for? There is a lot we can learn from this plant, and it's often the source of wisdom in stories from the Bible. Ecclesiastes 3:1-8 talks about all the seasons of change, to build up and to tear down, to plant and to sew, to live and to die. and Exodus 23:11 talks about letting things "rest" (go fallow) in order to be renewed for a better crop the following year:
"But the seventh year you shall let it rest and lie fallow, that the poor of your people may eat; and what they leave the beasts of the field may eat. You shall do likewise with your vineyard, and with your olive orchard."
Often, seasons of change must also happen to people as well in order to develop new growth. The family tree is rooted in traditions and beliefs.Often, generations of understanding can remain unchanged even when the evidence of those beliefs no longer exist. Therapy often consists of a client challenging their old unhealthy family beliefs that go against the client's current desire for change. We see this paradigm often in cases of addiction and abuse.
How does one step away from traditional unhealthy beliefs? You can create a new branch with new growth based on new paradigms to old understandings. Many in today's chaotic and upside down world would have you believe that good is evil and harm is healthy. Recently we "celebrated" Labor Day, but many would speak against any form of employment and compare it to the days of slavery. I ask you, what is worse: forced labor or forced dependance? They are both forced on others by those who are in control. Whenever one person forces another to do something "for their own good" it usually is not for the other's good but for the good of the one in control. Parents, teachers, business owners, and politicians use this "for the good of others" concept in order to remain in control of those under their leadership; children, students, employees, and voters. When one can see where they are giving up power and control over their choices, they begin to understand who is benefitting by those same choices. Forced dependence means you have no ability to have more than you are given. You may receive a portion that you do not have to personally labor for, but you cannot increase that portion on your own. Through your own labor can you increase your portion; whether it be through your efforts with your family, at school, at work, or within your community.
The Vinyard in the photo must tolerate the winter in order to flourish in the spring. Seasons of change will always give way to either poverty or prosperity. When a client recognizes they have more power over their life than they realize, true change can begin. They can take control of their choices, increase their measure of personal growth, and pull themselves out from under the old traditional lies of the past to create a future that is plentiful and true.