The other day, I went for a walk in one of my favorite parks. I came across an old tree which had been struck by lightning long ago. It was tall and strong, branching out beyond its peers nearby.
Looking at it made me think about life and how we, as people, respond to adversities.
Weakness…
In the South, Pines are the bane of any home owner, and often are the first to be cut down for the safety of the house nearby. They are shallow rooted, and are the first to sap the water out of the ground during rainstorms.
Ditto with Willows and other water loving, shallow rooted trees in other parts of the world.
They are also the ones that are struck most often. Their height makes them attractive for the lightning, but there is more to it than just height.
Because of their their thirst for water, their sap is high in it and also volatile. If struck by lightning, the bolt super heats the water within causing them to explode.
Being filled with water, it becomes attractive to the electrical energy of lightning and an easy target for it to pass through it into the earth through its shallow roots. Once struck, the damage done is usually irreparable unless only a small part of the tree is injured.
Parallels…
Their characteristics reminded me of people. The ones who have tempers which boil quickly at the most trivial slight are much like these water filled trees. Struck by perceived insults, they explode in anger.
Their characteristics reminded me of people.
Their shallow shallow are planted in the soil of the vice of pride and indignation instead of deeply embedded in the good soil of the virtue of humility.
If the vice isn’t deeply rooted, there is a possibility of reversing course.
Strength…
The least likely tree to be damaged permanently are such as birch or beech trees. They not only are short, but their roots are deeper than their water thirsty neighbors. Storms are less likely to cause the trees to topple when the winds are strong, and their stature is less attractive to the lightning.
Because they are not as thirsty for water, their sap contains a higher oil content. Oil does not conduct electricity, so they are shielded from the effects.
But should it be struck by lightning anyway, the process of healing will begin if not heavily damaged. The cells around the damage begin to quickly form a thick scar, making for stronger structure than was originally there.
But between the strike and the full healing, the tree must endure attacks from opportunists, such insects and rot, that will be ever present until is has fully recovered. If healthy before the strike, it’s chances of survival will be higher than one that was weaker.
The stronger one…
So, too, is the man whose roots of character is dug deeply in the stability of virtue. When the winds of change or violent storms come, they will not be moved.
Nor will they be often tempted to veer off course should the opportunities of life come along. They will remain unharmed and ride out the adversities well.
And should he be struck by evil, he will arise victorious, stronger in virtue and forgiveness than one who succumbs to the adversities of life. For his roots remain unshakeable within the depth of the soil of his well-formed character.
And should he be struck by evil, he will arise victorious…
Even so, like the tree he will first have to fight against spiritual and mental attacks of outside opportunists, like doubt and naysayers surrounding him, until he is able to fully regain stable footing within.
The scars he retains are his badges of honor, much like the tree which gained victory over adversity.
Lesson learned…
Before the storms of life come at us with all its winds and lightning, we must examen our own interior life.
Are our values and beliefs aligned with well-formed reason and dignity? Do they conform to Natural Law?
Do we have a deeply rooted understanding of the our purpose within us to survive spiritually and emotionally?
The food we choose to feed our souls will determine our innermost beliefs.
Or have we fed ourselves the shallow fare offered by the world in the form of trifles and entertainment, technological advancements and other novel concepts, and eternal optimism? Or the antithetical attitude of frustration and pessimism?
The food we choose to feed our souls will determine our innermost beliefs. They are the values which will determine an individual’s success or failure to accept trials and move forward – or give up and grow bitter.
In the famous words of Admiral Stockdale,
“This is a very important lesson. You must never confuse faith that you will prevail in the end—which you can never afford to lose—with the discipline to confront the most brutal facts of your current reality, whatever they might be…” maintaining unwavering faith that you will prevail to the end.
Life will surely cause wounds, but how you respond will be determined by what you hold within your deepest core.
Choose wisely. Learn deeply. And once Truth is found, never let the wisdom you gain be lost by something of less value.
Then you will survive. Even to the end.