Advice From A Tree
John and I are in the Sierra Nevada Mountains combining some days of vacation with work. How can one spend time in these beautiful mountains without being both inspired and humbled by their beauty and their magnificence?
We spent time in Yosemite National Park as the United States National Park Service celebrated its 100th birthday. Thank God that people like John Muir and President Theodore Roosevelt (and many others, of course) saw how important it was to preserve these majestic parts of our country. May that protection and preservation continue.
We hiked to the Great Sequoias. I rode a beautiful horse through the forests and along clear rivers teeming with fish. We breathed in the fresh air as we walked through the forests and along mountain trails. Everywhere we turned another glorious piece of God’s magnificent artwork stood before us—dropping us into a state of humility and awe.
As the world closes in around us, there are but a few places where the earth and her inhabitants have a chance to survive, thrive, and remain. With gratitude for these sacred places, I share this poem called “Advice from a Tree.”
Advice From A Tree
By Ilan Shamir
Dear Friend,
Stand Tall and Proud
Sink your roots deeply into the Earth
Reflect the light of a greater source
Think long term
Go out on a limb
Remember your place among all living beings
Embrace with joy the changing seasons
For each yields its own abundance
The Energy and Birth of Spring
The Growth and Contentment of Summer
The Wisdom to let go of leaves in the Fall
The Rest and Quiet Renewal of Winter
Feel the wind and the sun
And delight in their presence
Look up at the moon that shines down upon you
And the mystery of the stars at night.
Seek nourishment from the good things in life
Simple pleasures
Earth, fresh air, light
Be content with your natural beauty
Drink plenty of water
Let your limbs sway and dance in the breezes
Be flexible
Remember your roots
Enjoy the view!
