Teachings from the natural world - Trees

Trees are an endless source of knowledge, prepared to teach us and nurture us. But do we have the ability to listen to what they say?

Patience- how obsessed are you with speed?

When was the last time you saw an oak tree in a hurry to grow? Yet look at how beautiful and complex it is, and the scope of which it gives back to the Earth. Imagine what we could accomplish if we just took a little more time.

Strength

Just as a tree has the strength to weather decades, if not centuries and millennia, of storms, so must we find our strength to weather through everything that life presents us. You can always find inner strength within yourself to keep going.

Adapting and regenerating: Self-healing

Whether from accident or disease, a tree has the ability to heal itself. When injured, tree cells will flow around a wound, creating a knot. By changing course, the cells within the wood grain can continue to supply nutrients and water to other parts of the tree, rather than simply hitting a dead end and cutting off all supplies to the rest of the tree.

So must we be willing to adapt in order to heal ourselves. We will always face adversity, but it is how we react to this adversity that reveals who we are as people. When we begin to heal ourselves, we can begin to move forward.

Standing tall – pride

Hyperion, a coast redwood found in northern California, has a height of over 379 feet, making it the tallest tree in the world. What could possibly be a better reminder to stand tall than an organism that dwarfs the Statue of Liberty? Be proud of who you are; be proud of what you’ve accomplished. And remember, there’s always room to grow.

Freedom – a tree grows where a tree grows.

In the wild, there are no prescribed locations for a seed to germinate or a root to sprout. Trees will grow wherever conditions are best for them. Why not take a (recycled) page from nature’s handbook and have a willingness to explore freely? When you begin to live unbound, you begin to experience everything that the world has to offer. Never be afraid of these new experiences; change can be good!