My Father once asked me to think of a tree, and tell him what a tree and a human being had in common. I said, we're both alive, and he replied yes, what else? I struggled with an answer. He then said, we both grow. I, not quite understanding remained quiet and waited for him to explain. He said, a tree grows from a tiny seed into a strong tree, all the while enduring it's surroundings through good and bad, even if slowly continues to grow. He then asked, what happens when a tree stops growing? I replied, it dies. He said, exactly and got straight to the point. People can learn a valuable lesson from trees, we start as babies, and grow to adults, all the while, learning and just like the trees we must weather the storms and continue to grow and learn, some seasons blooming, others we may be dormant but we continue to grow. The day we stop learning, the day we stop growing, we die. He didn't need to say anymore. I never forgot that lesson.
When I feel like the world is trying it's hardest to take me down, I remember that I like the tree, must continue to grow, regardless, and to look for the lesson in whatever situation has caused my distress. Big things, little things, happy or sad, it doesn't matter, they are all valuable opportunities to learn. Sometimes I don't understand what I should be taking from a situation or experience, but at all times I'm thankful to be having the experience and the opportunity, even if it isn't obvious, having the opportunity to live and learn is a gift we should never take for granted
I am spreading my branches, growing strong and wise, safely under the guidance and branches within the forest of my family.
Thanks Dad.
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