Mighty Oak or Gentle Willow

 

"The oak fought the wind and was broken.

The willow bent when it must and survived."

Robert Jordan

Sitting upon a secluded bench whether in imagination or in the park, one can watch the trees sway in the breeze. If very quiet, the observer can watch the behavior of small animals, birds, and sometimes bees. It is somewhat easy to believe life in nature is peaceful generated with ease ... that is of course is fallacy.

If one looks more closely, coming into vision are broken branches from heavy storms, fallen nests from high winds and carelessly scattered poisonous debris. This telling scene reminds us that in all of life there is peril. Nothing is more obvious than the war between climate and man. Unsurmountable lists of human death increase from eruptions in nature.

Safe upon our bench, we may wonder, "Yes, but what can I do?" This of course only delays positive action to make a difference. There is something everyone can do either alone or by group participation. For heaven's sake, get up and do something within personal means. Bend like the willow, adjust and heal or be snapped by ignoring the plight. 

Outside Forces

 

"He was swimming in a sea of other people's expectations.

Men have drowned in seas like that."

Robert Jordan

Men have been burned, not by heat, but by uncontrolled anger.  Men have drowned, not by water, but by overwhelming emotions.  Men have been buried, not by earth, but by falling into a non-physical hole.  Men have been swept away, not by air, but by being ungrounded.

Maintaining healthy boundaries will assist in disallowing outside forces to overly impact our  intended destinations.  It is important to reach out for an extended hand, but it is equally important to remember to let go.

When we are able to bring balance between our inner and outer worlds, we will discover a personal navigation system which will best meet our needs.  In order to discern healthy passageways, it is imperative to establish which direction one chooses to follow.