Controlled Fires

After moving to Johannesburg in the winter of 2018, I remember that one of the things that stood out for me, mostly because I found it odd, where the fires that I would see in random spots while driving on the highway. As someone who had grown up in a coastal area, I never really had reason to look into the concept of ‘controlled fires’, which translated to me not knowing the intention behind it.

I later learnt that controlled fires are necessary and done during specific times of the year for the following reasons:

1. To burn off anything that should not be there in order to make space for indigenous plans to grow.

2. To reveal a certain layer of minerals in the soil that allow for better fertility as the new vegetation grows.

The above are part of the reason why the grass will literally sometimes be greener on the other side.

A new month and new season awaits us, for some these will also mark new beginnings. Following this thought, I remembered the importance of starting our own ‘controlled fires’ within us. This may include one or more of the following:

· Learning and unlearning toxic behaviours/habits

· Doing a self-audit on self-sabotaging behaviours that need to be dealt with

· Shedding off any dead weight by getting rid of anything (in and around us) that no longer serves us

· Unlearning methods that are no longer conducive for how we do things and learning new skills and patterns in their place.

You are probably aware of the idea of not using old wineskins for new wine. At first glance, the old wine skin might seem as though it would be able to carry new wine until you find out about its restricted ability.

For the new wine (new concepts, new business, new seasons) that we desire, we must be prepared. Prepare yourself by doing the internal work that is needed to grow into the person you need to become for whatever it is that awaits you on the other side of this season.

You will never regret investing in yourself before investing in your plans/ideas.

Best wishes on all that awaits you next.

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