Lessons from the Wild #5

There are many lessons to be learned from the natural world. Take trees, for example. Forests cover almost one third of the land area of our planet. They help protect, sustain and improve supplies of fresh water. They purify the air and convert carbon dioxide, water, minerals and sunlight into nutrients and oxygen. And they support a wide variety of life, including many plants, insects, fungi, reptiles, birds, and mammals.

What life lessons can we learn from trees? 

• Be flexible, so you don't break when a harsh wind blows.
• Cycles are a part of life.
• Leaves, though they can be small, are vital to the life of a tree. So value the little things.
• Even a mighty oak grows from a small acorn. Do not be intimidated by small beginnings.
• Sometimes you have to shed your old bark in order to grow.
• In forests, individual trees support one another. How much support do you share with those around you? Teamwork can accomplish much more than the sum of individual efforts, often making the difference between success and failure. 
• Your success and wisdom of life depends on how extensive your root system is, and how solid your principals are. 
• Avoid people who would like to cut you down.

"Your deepest roots are in nature. No matter who you are, where you live, or what kind of life you lead, you remain irrevocably linked with the rest of creation."  - Charles Cook