Niki Anderson ~ Author & Speaker

   It's time to pluck immature peaches from my fruit-laden tree. However, I don't have a peach tree to thin.

     What I have are numerous projects and expectations, plus a bushel basket of peachy ideas to implement, suggestions in my journal to fulfill, paper stacks of lovely intentions, business options to explore, and a meowing cat begging to be brushed, every morning.

     In August when I visited my cousin's backyard garden, she placed in my hands a gift of two perfect peaches and placed in my heart a lesson in balance.

     "At a certain point, my peaches stopped growing," said Carol. "They were miniature and green, though plentiful. So I called a professional and asked, 'Is this right?'"

     "Remove half the fruit," I was told, "so those remaining will mature."

     "Picking 50% of my young produce felt brutal," Carol admitted. "But later, I reaped a tree full of large, delicious fruit. Without thinning the excess, I'd have grown under-developed, small, inedible peaches."

     My ears picked up on the peachy preachment Carol didn't realize she delivered. Too many activities, ongoing or potential, will weight my life, weaken the branches of my outreach, and prevent the maturity of all the fruit.

     Over-burdened limbs can't support the growing weight of too much fruit or supply sufficient nutrients to an overly large crop. The load will stunt development and none will reach their pink and yellow, firm and juicy ripeness.

     I got it. My branches were heavy. I needed to thin out some false hopes, unrealistic goals, and a few premature dreams.  

     Now the hard part. What activities do I cast aside? It's all fruit!

     What peaches should I doom? What great idea will I ignore and let someone with more time, better skills, greater passion, or special calling, nurture and bring to fruition?

     You may be wondering the same thing about yourself.

     I'm thoughtfully examining my lists and will pluck and toss a lot of plans and possibilities.

     Here are a few questions to help us decide which peaches to pluck.

1) Is the activity or commitment timely?

2) Will it employ your strongest talents?

3) Is it a constant stressor?

4) Can it wait?

5) Are its benefits worth the effort?

6) Is enthusiasm sufficient to sustain you until it's finished?

     If you're yet uncertain about what fruit to pluck, you can be certain of what to leave on the tree.

     Three things to keep in place always are self-care (exercise and nutrition), family relationships (care and fun), and daily fellowship with God (prayer and scripture). These peaches gotta stay. Oh, and you better brush the cat!

     Please leave me a comment. Tell me about your orchard.

"The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life." Proverbs 11:30 NIV

MAKE RESERVATION FOR "Everything Cats":

   Click http://www.nikianderson.net/autographparty.htm

NEXT BOOK SIGNING:

   Hastings Book & Video, 101 Best Ave., Coeur d'Alene, ID,

   Saturday, Sept. 12th; 1:00-5:00 pm

ABOUT CATS PAGE: Three of the real cats whose stories are told in Whiskers, Wit, and Wisdom are pictured at the bottom of the "About CATS" page here on my website if you wish to see them. The pictures in the new book were thoughtfully selected because they look much like the cats whose stories I told.  

A KIT-TEA: Spokane's own Brambleberry Cottage & Tea Shoppe is hosting Niki for a book signing and high tea on October 24th from 11:00a.m.-3:00p.m. by app't. for $18.00. Book purchase not required. A special tea blend called "Kit-tea" will be available for sale, also. Bring a can of cat food to receive a box for free. A portion of proceeds will pay for initial vaccines for a cat owned by a family in need.