I was pruning my tomatoes, (as I often times prune my life) and something hit me like a ton of bricks..... These beautiful yet unneeded stems are just like some humans!! Please join me in a little chat about a fascinating existence, both in our gardens and in the space of our lives. This existence is known as the sucker.
And if you're thinking, "Wait, are we talking about plants or people?" the answer is, a resounding "Hell Yea!"
Picture this, you're nurturing a beautiful tomato plant in your garden. It's growing, it's thriving, and you're watching with pride as it stretches toward the sun. Then one day, you notice a little sprout, a "sucker," growing between the stem and a branch of your beloved tomato plant. Small, unassuming, just chilling there like a bonus track on your favorite album.
But here's the gotcha.... these suckers don't really contribute to the main event. Like a "reality" TV show that's actually scripted, they give the impression of adding value, but they're just sucking the life force out of your tomato plant. They're sitting in the lap of luxury, slurping up all the nutrients, plant food, love, sunlight, and water that your tomato plant worked hard to collect. And what do they give in return? You guessed it..... not a doggone thing.
These suckers might look like they're part of the team, but they're actually inhibiting the growth of your precious tomatoes (and if you haven't figured this part out yet.... the suckers in human form are inhibiting YOUR growth, progress and opportunities). The audacity!
Just like the suckers on your tomato plant, there are suckers in life too. They camouflage themselves so well that you might even think they're essential. They might present themselves as well meaning family, opportunities, friends, or mentors. They shine like fool's gold, promising and pretending to add value to your life. But in reality, they're hitching a ride on your journey, benefiting from your energy, your talent, your connections, your hard work, your reputation and your resilience.
These life suckers know you're rooted in prosperity. They realize that without your literal existence they could not and would not survive in the space that they are in. They have observed that without your plans and ideas, they would have no guidance for their "Imitation of Life". They attach themselves to you because it benefits them, not because they're adding something to your life. You're the main plant, the star of the show, and they're just there for the free ride, foundation and the welfare that you provide.
Remember, just like the suckers on a tomato plant, life suckers can and should be pruned and discarded. It's your garden and your journey. Don't let anyone or anything take away your nutrients or stifle your growth. You exist to produce your own fruits of greatness, not to nourish suckers.
So, in the spirit of life, self-growth and survival of the fittest, let's grab our pruning shears and get rid of the suckers in our lives. Today, stand up and proclaim.... SEE YA SUCKA!!