inspiration
Strong Roots What Trees Teach Us About Life by Dennis Merritt Jones
Strong Winds A THINK BEFORE YOU BUY:
1. Is it recycled or made from sustainable materials?
2. Is it resource saving?
3. Is it vintage or pre-owned?
Asking these questions before you buy can help you make a green choice.
32 Hudson County
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great experiment in the desert called the biodome created a living environment for human, plant and animal life. A huge glass dome was constructed to house an artificial, controlled environment with purified air and water, healthy soil and filtered light. The intent was to afford perfect growing con- ditions for trees, fruits and vegetables, as well as humans. People lived in the biodome, for many months at a time, and everything seemed to do well with one exception. When the trees grew to a certain height, they would topple over. It baffled scientists until they realized they forgot to include the natural element of wind. Trees need wind to blow against them because it causes their root systems to grow deeper, which sup- ports the tree as it grows taller.
Who among us doesn’t long for a perfect growing environ- ment for ourselves, with no disruptions from outside influences? We strive to avoid the times of contrast and tension, when life’s daily challenges push against us. When they do, the normal ten- dency is to curse them. If trees could talk, would we hear them curse the wind each time they encountered a storm? We can learn a great deal from nature’s wisdom at work if we are open to the lesson. Watch how a tree bends and sways gracefully when the wind blows against it. It does not stand rigid, resisting the flow of energy. It does not push back. The tree accepts the strong wind as a blessing that helps it grow. Such experiences develop our character and deepen our spiritual roots. When we grow deep, we too, stand tall.
Dennis Merritt Jones, D.D., is the author of Your Re-Defining Moments, The Art of Uncertainty and The Art of Being, the source of this essay. He has contributed to the human potential movement and field of spirituality as a minister, teacher, coach and lecturer for 30 years. Learn more at
DennisMerrittJones.com.
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