Make like a tree and leave or grow toward peace and joy

GROWING TOWARD PEACE AND JOY

On the very edge of a small branch on a very  young tree I saw a little  greenish bud.  Yes it’s a sign of Spring, and if it was only a sign of  Spring that would be a symbol of the annual seasonal cycles we experience reminding us that we have a chance to  live through constant change and do so without  too much trauma.  Yet there is a bonus in the observation and that is what this post is all about.

What is a tree?

Is the seed that falls. To the ground or goes spinning through the  air inside one of those “helicopter droppings a tree?  Well maybe—because that is where the tree begins or is it where the tree ends?  Let’s just say it’s  the end of one tree and the beginning of another.   So is the seed the  most important  part of a tree...well sometimes it is.

Then  from the seed the roots spring forth and take hold and  start to connect with. The soil to gather  the building blocks the tree will need to grow.  The soil has those  goodies for. The tree because other trees have created shade so that. Water falling in the form of  rain or snow did not  evaporate too quickly to make the soil rich.  These roots will be the source  of food for the  tree until the leaves can convert sunlight into food for the. Tree maybe years from. Now.  The  roots  will be the foundation  for the tree, so are the roots the most important  part of a tree?

From the roots grow the trunk and the main branches.  These  become the structure that will  hold the leaves and eventually the fruit.  These parts of the tree carry  food from the soil into the tree and collect the food made by the. Leaves.  The trunk and the branches are the circulatory system that carry the liquids. Of life for the entire life of the tree and at some point in the. Life cycle of the tree these parts may be  cut down and used to. Build shelters and furniture, and provide heat for homes,, so are they the most important  part of the. Tree?

From the  branches emerge the leaves and the fruit.  The leaves provide  shade, turn the sun’s energy into  living matter and  help create oxygen that animals need to stay healthy.  Fruit contains the seeds that are needed for new trees and a load of things that animals of all. Sorts can use to stay alive.  Surely these are the most important parts of the tree?  

Okay...most of you probably know s what I’m going for here?....Right?  Well maybe—maybe not—read on and let’s find out.  Here are. Some things  this little green bud  brought into my awareness with regard to trees.  

It doesn’t make any sense to think about trees in terms of which of these parts  are the most important.  Comparing importance in terms of the tree doesn’t make much sense.  The important part is that  these parts all find their roles and do. Them for the entire tree and for the good of the Forrest and the environment.  It’s not important that the seed is not a branch or that the trunk.does not sprout fruit.   Maybe  wee can look at life experiences and learning in that same way.  Maybe the the things wee learn through good or bad experiences are the seeds from which our wisdom grows and these sprout to form the roots of new experiences (trees of meaning).  Maybe  from this foundation we form a trunk of values and have the courage to “branch out” to see how  we  might live those values in many ways not knowing which may  give us  fruit or exactly  when.  Maybe we can become the leaves of a tree and be a symbol of growth and a provider of  energy. For the members of our. Networks and community that form the  trunk and branches of the tree.  Finally maybe we are the fruits that feed things, fall off and start new things.  Maybe in different parts of our lives we. Are different parts of the tree and  maybe even different parts in different trees.  Part of being human (or a tree) is knowing the timing of when to play the needed part without having to be the most important part forever.  

In summary maybe we can look at the tree and see that change is going to happen and that every part. Played in that growth and change is important.   Maybe that will lead to a sense of peace when we understand we cannot or do not want to play every part all the time.  Maybe  we can understand that in parts of our lives we are  planting seeds so that other  people can. Grow from the roots we share and that they extend.  Maybe we can understand that the tree grows at its right pace when we do our part and therefore we can trust that we have value in our growth process and especially in the growth , learning, and bearing of fruit. In the experiences a of others.  finally maybe we  will stop  worrying about. Our importance or if we have the potential to be important.  Maybe when you see  a tree near you it will remind you that you are a valuable part of many environments and your obligation is to contribute not to compete.  When some of these things become evident maybe you can find some  peace and joy being who you are right now and  knowing that you too will grow how and when needed if you are aware of  your “tree ness.”  Well it’s time for me to “leave” for now