Trees can teach us so many things about ourselves and the world around us. I often look to trees for wisdom and insight. I have learned many a lesson from trees. The recent ice storm that covered much of the landscape with ice illustrated one such lesson: Be flexible. What does not bend will break. Trees know this inherently. It is built into their design. When the wind blows, a tree sways. This bending and flexing allows a tree to receive and then let go of the force of the wind’s energy. The outermost cell walls of the tree are stretched and broken with each movement. When the wind subsides, the branches return to their original stance and rebuild to be stronger than they were before. Cells are repaired and the tree grows sturdier and more resilient. The leaves and branches, and even the trunks reach and strive to find light. Roots divide and branch intricately as they seek water and nutrients and grow deeper to better anchor the growing top. They cannot control their environment, only adapt to it. Constantly striving for balance in a fluctuating world, trees work with the natural forces that are in play all around them. We have much to learn from the silent and steady world of trees. May we feel the energy of the wind flow through our branches. May we bend and sway. May we hold on to our roots and let our minds go free.
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