Wisdom from the Woods 2

This picture does not do this tree justice. It shows how tall and strong it is, but it doesn't show its most remarkable feature - the root system. The tree's roots are a number of feet away from the edge of a cliff, and its trunk travels horizontally across the cliff to the very edge. What you see here is the tree seen from below the cliff, where it has eased out over the edge a bit before turning to grow upward toward the sun. Despite its height and strength, this tree is actually in a pretty precarious position. Its roots are shallow and not centered directly under the tree itself.

And somehow, the tree knows the iffy situation it's in, because the little leaves you see at the base of the picture are many little tree sprouts growing right out of the tree's bark at its base. I stopped and looked at this sight for a few minutes. It seemed to me that the tree was developing a "plan B" for itself. If a storm comes and breaks that tree off at its most vulnerable spot, the tree has 'thought ahead' for itself to make provision to carry on in a new life.

I've visited many people on their death beds who at the last minute realize that unfortunately they've waited too long to say something they really wanted to say or to do something they really wanted to do, and now it's too late. They'd either avoided the important stuff or life had just swept them up and they never got around to it. I think sometimes in life you've got to be like this tree and intentionally sprout some new beginnings, even when things seem to be going well enough right now. Sometimes you need to intentionally take action toward a new tomorrow even when you don't think you have time or you'd rather just avoid doing it for some reason.

Tiny little sprouts of action are how whole new trees can take root in your life - even if your roots don't have the advantage of deep, rich soil. So thanks, tree, for reminding me to take some active steps toward my highest hopes today.