I notice that everything we call natural is full of a plethora of intricacies that we can relate to. This realization was sparked by Annie Dillard’s Pilgrimage at Tinker Creek. Take the tree for instance, their roots run deep to hold their ground. Their trunks tell their life’s story and their branches provide shade and habitat for others. They give to all unceasingly by providing oxygen. They change throughout the seasons by shedding all their leaves with immense beauty in the fall. What is most interesting about this change is that they remain stark throughout the harshest winters, continue to hold their ground, and reestablish their leaves in the spring. To some the functions and structures of a trees mean nothing. However is it too daring to relate these traits to our own lives? Our values, morals and experiences, are we not rooted by them? Are they not our foundation and something that we stand by for life or until we are reconditioned? Don’t we have a story to tell? Similarly to trees, some people stand tall without sign of struggle and some are broken yet still standing. Isn’t it interesting that we can be broken and continue to stand, reestablishing ourselves and our relationships, similar to the remnants of a broken tree reestablishing it’s leaves in the spring? Chop a tree down and it’s rings will tell its history, learn and observe a man and his actions will tell you the same. Can we give unceasingly to others regardless of demographics, origin, or wrongdoing? Can we not survive life’s hardships until we reach our goals? Wouldn’t you want to be similar to a tree in these aspects as it relates to your life?
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