# The Leaf.

> Can we give ourselves permission?

**Published by:** [On The Inside](https://paragraph.com/@ontheinside/)
**Published on:** 2023-09-16
**URL:** https://paragraph.com/@ontheinside/the-leaf

## Content

The Leaf | A sketch by Melanie JaneSubscribe now Like water flowing through a river The current it creates paves its right. There will be structures along the way That will divert its path's sight.A dam may block. A pile of pebbles may slow. A boulder may change course. As the water continues to flow.On a day like any other Sunny skies A few clouds. A breeze captures a tree A leaf, now in the air, scurries about.It had always wanted to leave. To find a life of its own. To chase after its dreams Until its sought reality was known.On that day like any other Its home gave it a "Yes!" "You can go," the leaf heard. Permission was met.Now in the air, its new reality in tow To the left and the right On its course, It settles into a flow.It lands in the water For a ride, it is now forced. The current leads the way Takes it for a journey Where there are twists and there are turns.When a boulder is met A means of safety is seen. The leaf grasps to the boulder. Sticks to the rock. It finds safety in the stillness The journey met with fear has now stopped.The leaf had big dreams. A vision in its mind for its life. There was fear felt on the journey As it navigated being away from its known and grounded life.Could it keep going? Was it to turn left or turn right? Was it proceeding correctly? It desired for that confirmation to take sight.Now latched to the boulder Clinging for dear life. Paused on its journey Pondering how next it would take flight.It spoke of its dreams Its vision for life. To the boulder itself As this pause was in sight.The boulder became energized. Excited for the leaf. When it heard these things "You can do it!" it beamed.The leaf then felt permission To proceed, it now could. Back into the current As it let go of its grasp. Back onto the journey Flowing this way and that.The rapids turned fast. The rapids turned quick. As it was jolted here and there It saw safety in an upcoming pebble drift.It scurried to the right. Grasped hold of the pile. Snuck itself into the rocks Thought to stay for a while.The leaf had seen pieces of its dream Take sight in real life. On this journey so far It had found pieces of its right.The next part of the dream Again felt daunting and grand. That fear rang its bell. Reassurance was desired to be had.As it made its way onward As days and moments would pass That desire and felt need Was always within grasp.The need for confirmation. Reassurance. Permission. To hear "Yes!" The need for validation In order to take forward steps.In the moments of movement Along the flow of its life. That leaf would gain clarity. As cycles would repeat. As it would flow and then stop. As it would be placed amongst its fear Take halts and drift off.It would question the why. Why it seemed to get in the way of its dreams. Why was that reassurance and permission Always needed to receive?Why was this needed from the external? Why could it not believe in itself? Why did words from the others Seem to be the only way To believe that those dreamt realities could be held? Did it need that? For it had already come this far. Was that an internal safety illusion? A right of passage, that it felt was necessary for this part?The word validation It is big. It is grand. For the latter is terrifying Being deemed different or bad.If that leaf needed validation for each action and life step Would it ever get to where it was going? Or would it be timid with each step?The leaf had a thought While pondering its life path. Perhaps that thought was the answer For how to live the life its dreams would project.That answer seemed simple It seemed, externally, black and white. But inside a different story Would often take sight.To shine the light toward itself. Toward its confirmation of the dream. To give itself permission To live the life that it wanted to lead.To validate itself. To hold to its soul. To believe that it could To this narrative, hold.It would not be easy Always linear or clear. That path may get messy But through it, Its dreamt life would appear.

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