This "wreath" caught my eye while hiking a high desert trail last year in southern California. The coil of rusted barbed wire with a cactus growing inside represented the area where we were living: a land of ranches covered with desert vegetation. I put a brilliant red bow on it and voila! – it became a Christmas wreath.
When I looked at this image the other day, another meaning, reflective of current developments in my life, came to mind.
The barbed wire symbolizes limiting beliefs that restrain my talents and creativity from fully expressing and flourishing. Reaching its branches up and out, the cactus represents my desire to grow, expand, explore, discover and shine. Yes, the plant’s expansion along the ground is obstructed by the coil, but it has not let that stunt it.
Instead of staying within the confines of the barbed wire coil, the cactus shoots upward and then begins to spread outward beyond its limits.
I have the same choice. I can choose to live within the boundaries of the beliefs that hold me back or I can embrace thoughts that lift me up and encourage me to stretch, grow and expand.
I know my choice. I opt for beliefs that nurture my desire to fully express my talents and creativity, and to flourish! This will be my grand Christmas gift to myself.
