Trees

I ran across an interesting metaphor for life today. I am sure it's been done, been said and been around for a long time but I haven't heard it stated in quite this way before. The author said to imagine life as a tree. The entire thing is too long to repeat but a couple of thoughts are sticking in my head. First, the actual experience of growth can never be consciously experienced. It can only be noted in comparison to a particular thing in the past with that thing now. The experience itself sneaks by you. Point being, don't stress too much about what might be construed as lack of results in certain endeavors.

The other interesting exercise was to imagine yourself as a tree in the spring when a cool breeze and mild temperature are a pleasant surprise following a hot and dry summer. Then imagine the autumn. Then suddenly one night comes the winter. It is harsh and cold and shocking. But a tree can't bundle up and has little choice of circumstance. So it pulls within itself and builds its own strength. Over time it has resistance and layers and acceptance of the winter. Over time it enjoys all seasons with the knowledge that neither winter nor spring lasts forever. Over time it learns to savor each day.

So I'm staring at and being symbolically inspired by my christmas tree (though it's artificial -- there was nothing in the metaphor about imagining being a beautiful tree cut out of the ground then adorned with lights, bulbs and pics of snotty nosed children). Maybe too corny but today I wish the winter in my life well as I look forward to the spring that is to come.