THIS TREE. I’m not kidding. This was the most incredible thing I saw last week.
THIS TREE lives on our block. I’ve probably walked underneath it at least two thousand times since I moved to Fayetteville. And I notice it nearly every single time I walk underneath it because there’s a perfectly round hole about ten feet up the trunk. The hole is more like a woodpecker hole than a Boo Radley hole. There’s a distinct difference, you know.
This old tree continues to grow no matter what’s going on in our town or in our state or in our country or in our world.
We can learn a lot from trees.
One lesson we would all do well to learn is to stay grounded. Don’t be swayed by the day’s nonsense spread across social media and major news channels, often as slanted as cursive writing. Do your research. Don’t be gullible to the far right or far left. If you lean too far, you may not be able to stand straight up again.
Be strong. Even when feel stressed or depressed and reach the end of your proverbial rope, you are more than the last thing you spouted out in anger. Scrolling on by is not a sign of weakness. Neither is speaking up, as long as you think before you speak.
It’s okay to just be. Be quiet. Be aware. Be respectful. We don’t all have to contribute to the chatter all the time. Listening is good. When you observe the quiet, you hear the birds, the rain, the rustle of the leaves. Listening leads to learning.
Perfection isn’t real. Striving for perfection is a surefire way to fail. Nature isn’t perfect—the knotholes and gnarly branches provide interest.
I think we would all be better off if for just a little while, we all tried to be more like THIS TREE.
Grace Grits and Gardening
Farm. Food. Garden. Life.
When I was a child growing up in Blytheville, Arkansas, we went on a Sunday afternoon drive every week rain or shine. I always had high hopes that we would actually go somewhere interesting. Alas, my dad drove us to the edge of some poor farmer’s beanfield where he parked and unloaded his fishing gear and dipped a hook. There was a 22 rifle in the trunk as well, for him to aim at squirrels. Every single time we stopped we would find a special tree. Probably a lot of folks find this a little strange, but even today every single time my husband and I drive somewhere, I am constantly scanning the treetops for mistletoe. Even after I married and moved away, my parents and their best friends continued that tradition. Every fall, they would head out for their fall foliage tour.
I love this Sharon. I always look for mistletoe and squirrel nests.
I needed this today. Thank you!
You’re welcome!
I love trees.
Me too.
Talya, I’ve been a self described tree hugger since childhood. I cannot pass an old pine or beech or oak without wrapping my arms around it and just soaking in it’s “being”. (Today that’s a lot safer than hugging people.). The hiking trails around Hot Springs have many trees that are over 500 years old. Leaning into one makes my perspective more in line with my Creator’s. Job 38. Love your perspective.
I love huge old trees too and sometimes touch them just to connect.