My Love Affair with Trees
“Oh, Cotton Tree…
How I wish to have your strength.
Your roots are grounded and resilient against the storms.
Your beauty is endless, though rough around the edges from life's journey.
You are filled with so much character.
You provide such joy to anyone who comes near.
Your silent whispers are like love songs; beautiful and sweet.
And, even when you get knocked down, or get bent out of shape, you continue to display your strength and beauty for the world to see.
Oh, Cotton Tree...I am like you in so many ways.” ~ Deon Cecile
“It’s safe to say I have a love affair with trees, so should you. To touch, to feel, to sense, to learn! ~ Deon Cecile
10 Things We Can Learn from Trees
1. Resilience: Trees weather storms and adapt to changing conditions, teaching us the importance of resilience in the face of adversity. Have you ever noticed a tree after a storm/hurricane? Some are usually broken, bent out of shape, or snapped in half. Yet, if left alone, that tree will grow right where it is, renewing itself, and becoming a whole new tree. Nurture resilience don’t fight it.
2. Patience: Trees grow slowly over many years, reminding us of the value of patience in achieving long-term goals. Every time I get anxious about not being where I think I ought to be I am reminded of a tree’s growth. Some don’t even show their brilliance until 100s of years of growing and weathering the storms. Learn to be patient with your dreams and goals.
3. Sustainability: Trees play a vital role in ecosystems by providing oxygen, purifying air, and water, and supporting biodiversity, highlighting the importance of sustainable living. Stop cutting down our trees to build skyscrapers! And if you must, find a way to incorporate trees and other greenery into the landscape/design of said buildings. Our planet will thank us for doing so. Stop and plant a tree today.
4. Interconnectedness: Trees are part of complex networks of life, teaching us the significance of our interconnectedness with the natural world and each other. Did you know that trees have their own interconnectedness where they can communicate with each other through an underground network of fungi known as the "wood wide web?" They can exchange nutrients, warning signals about pests, and other information through this network. Do you have a Wood Wide Web?
5. Rootedness: Trees are firmly rooted in the ground, symbolizing the importance of staying grounded and connected to our roots and values. Trees that are not firmly rooted can be uprooted easily by even the gentlest of bad weather. Same for us humans. When we are not rooted in our values we are easily swayed. Stay rooted in who you are, and what you believe in, and never forget your roots and to whom you belong.
6. Seasons of life: Trees go through seasons of growth, dormancy, and renewal, reflecting the cyclical nature of life and the need for rest and rejuvenation. I believe my seasons of life reemerge every few years and let me tell you, the dormancy and renewal phase are usually the hardest for me, but at the end of the day the reemergence is beautiful.
7. Adaptability: Trees can bend and sway with the wind, showing us the value of flexibility and adaptability in navigating life's challenges. Like Alice Walker said, “In nature, nothing is perfect, and everything is perfect. Trees can be contorted, bent in weird ways, and they’re still beautiful." Don’t allow life’s bending to erase your beauty.
8. Generosity: Trees provide shelter, food, and resources to countless creatures, demonstrating the virtue of giving and supporting others. I have a particular fruit tree that is beyond generous, the more I give from it, the more it bears. Generosity breeds generosity.
9. Conservation: Trees conserve water and prevent soil erosion, teaching us the importance of responsible resource management. As the saying goes, “Waste not, want not.”
10. Longevity: Many trees live for centuries, reminding us to think about the legacy we leave for future generations and the impact of our actions on the environment. Nothing happens in a silo. Our health, our livelihood, the state of the environment, our future, and our children’s future, all depend on our current activities.
On the days that you feel most insecure, lost, sad, meh, or just plain and simply tired and drained, take a walk in nature and hug a tree. Feel its energy, listen to its unsung song, but mine ants bite yuh (you). Your renewed energy will leave you feeling light and Zen! You may even dance a bit if you get bitten.
Anyway, it's a new week, "Be like a tree. Stay grounded. Connect with your roots. Turn over a new leaf. Bend before you break. Enjoy your unique natural beauty. Keep growing." ~ Joanne Raptis.
How are you in any way like a tree? Comment below. Let’s tree-talk this week.
JOIN MY COMMUNITY
Welcome to my space, a place where I can share my greatest inspirations and candidly display the different sides of me and my passion project. This is a space dedicated to stories about Women Over 40, Wellness, Lifestyle, Organizing, Decluttering, and pretty much anything that I find fun and inspiring. I hope you enjoy reading and feel free to leave a comment or idea below. My wish is that when you come here, you leave feeling inspired.
Connect with me here or on social media. Your presence leaves a spark for which I am forever grateful️.
Cheers❤️
Deon Cecile
There are affiliate links throughout this article. Affiliate links mean I will earn a small commission, at no additional cost to you, whenever you click on any of the links and make an actual purchase.
