Today I am standing in the middle of a pile of dried twigs and leaves. I collected the remains of pieces of wood, freshly pruned green leaves, and even small scattered fragments into one. Once everything was piled up, I started the fire. Slowly, the small flame grew bigger, licking the leaves and twigs, turning the green color to pitch black, then to ash.
Fire is simple, but has a deep meaning. It cleanses, but also reminds. Behind its bright and warm flame, there is a process of change. Leaves that were once fresh and green must eventually pass through the heat to become part of the soil again. That's how the natural cycle works nothing is truly lost, everything returns to its origin.
Cleaning the garden like this has become routine. After pruning the branches and clearing the bushes, the quickest way is to burn them. Apart from making the land tidier, the ash left from burning can add natural nutrients to the soil. Even so, the fire must still be maintained. If you are a little careless, it can spread everywhere. Therefore, I make sure the surrounding area is safe and controlled.
Watching the fire burning amidst the leaves made me reflect. Sometimes in life, we need to "burn" things that are no longer useful negative thoughts, laziness, doubt, and bad habits. If left to accumulate, these things will only hinder our growth. But if we have the courage to face them and transform them, the result can be something better like ashes that return to nourish the soil.
Fire also teaches us about balance. Too small, it's meaningless. Too big, it's dangerous. Just like the passion within us it must be enough to propel us forward, but controlled so it doesn't become destructive.
| Photographer | Smartphone used | Location |
|---|---|---|
 | Realme C53 | Nanggroe Aceh Darussalam |
