I snapped this photo of thistle during my trip to Highlands Nature Sanctuary two weeks ago. It feels like forever since my visit, and I still feel a bit off-center since I've returned.

I'm noticing some old habits creeping up — overworking, taking on more than I have time for, ignoring my self-care, my creative time and my body in order to get "work" done. And as a result, I've been feeling prickly like this thistle as I seek to re-center myself and to shift back into balance.

Thistles adapted their prickly exterior to protect themselves from herbivores. Look, they seem to say, but I'm warning you…don't touch!

I hold that our true nature is to blossom boldly and shine our light into the world. But I also recognize that sometimes having some protective prickles can help us to set boundaries and connect with what it is we really need.

I see my "prickly-ness" of late as protective. It's a cue from my inner wisdom that I've neglected to water my inner flower (again!). 

My opportunity is to go within and find out what parts of myself I'm protecting and what I need to honor in order to be softer and smoother again.

Looking at my prickly-ness in this way, I see the beauty and purpose of it. And for that, I'm grateful.

Tell me, where in your life are you feeling prickly? And what are these prickles protecting you from?

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My brother is here now (yes, it's been full house this week, but great to have him here, too!). I'm heading to Highlands Nature Sanctuary/the Arc of Appalachia for a quick two-day trip to attend a meeting with volunteers helping with publicity and outreach projects. I am working on making a video slideshow of my photos from two weeks ago (I'm a beginner at a lot of this technology stuff, but I love to learn!)…which I hope to complete early next week. Be back soon!