Shrinking vs. Expanding

Ayla here. In nature, there’s a balance of new growth and death. Neither are good or bad, it’s just is. I think of the oak trees by the Taproom – dead limbs are blown to the ground with the wind, and new branches are always starting out. I see the tree’s experiment – which new branches provide the best access to light? Growing towards the light is what all plants do, and I’d argue us humans aren’t so different.

Winter finds sunshine less consistent and we all hunker down, trying to keeping the chill at bay. And so those days when the sun is shining, it feels like a gift. And as the daylight extends as we approach the spring solstice (it’s just around the corner!!!), my hope extends too.

My hope is that we all can find spaces in our lives where we can expand, and thoughtfully prune the areas we need to shrink. That friend who drains your energy? Maybe a pruning opportunity. Friends that expand your light and make you feel amazing? Spend energy growing that relationship.

At the Hive, we’ve been looking at our business with this same lens, as our family-run business is simply an extension of ourselves, so naturally it needs to grow and expand and prune and shrink with us. This year, we have some exciting changes we’ll be announcing soon, in addition to offering shipping, we’re expanding our apiaries with more bee colonies.

We’re excited to grow towards the light with the people that keeping themselves healthy so they can offer the world their unique skills and talents. The people who value diversity, loving others, and building community instead of causing fear and distrust. You might be this person if you know that we succeed by supporting each other, stopping at local businesses rather than shopping the big box stores. Not to say we don’t buy from the big buys too, but we’re being more intentional with our dollars. 

Join us – grow towards the light, towards love instead of hate, towards community instead of individualism. Let’s expand together and prune away the dead branches that steal our energy. Together we can create a more just, loving, accepting culture. But it starts with us.