Being Deeply Rooted

As we move into the winter season, I’m looking out of my office window gazing at thousands of pine trees swaying in the gusty winds. The potent sound of these gusts can be heard swirling around the house sprinkled with the whining vibration of the wind trying to make its way through the cracks of the window framing. The power of this elemental force is so turbulent and it gives me an unsettling feeling inside.

I then place my attention on one of the more mature and taller pines and choose to gleam some wisdom from its actions. I notice that amidst these potent and powerful winds, its branches remain pliable as they boldly sway from side to side.  Its roots are strong and deep, giving it the strength to remain solid and unmovable.

I love gaining wisdom from the natural elements and see this example as a useful metaphor during these times of great change taking place in the United States and throughout the world. I certainly have felt many passing moments of fear, concern and disbelief throughout the past few months watching the dysfunctions in our political system and the hatred blatantly expressed throughout sectors of our society.

I can’t say that I’ve come to a consistently clear resolve, but I have found a stable and sane place to plant my feet and stand strongly. Just like the mighty pines amidst the potent winds, we have the ability and the opportunity to strengthen our roots and remain pliable amidst the tremendous changes around us. This is the time for us to strengthen our daily practices that keep us deeply rooted to the truth of our values, our purpose and our essence of love.

Now more than ever, it’s essential that we begin each day knowing with certainty that we are all made of the same basic stuff, all deriving from the same DNA. I’m placing my attention on embracing our differences, while standing strongly as an ambassador for love. I’m clear that it is through our differences that we see the various facets and outlooks that compose the whole. This doesn’t mean being airy-fairy and passively accepting actions, statements and values that don’t support the whole, based in greed and separation.

We are in a paramount time that is calling us to be more attuned than ever to speaking out and bringing our unique gifts to the table, truly being the change we wish to see. Whenever we’re feeling discouraged and depleted, we have the ability to reconnect to our vital and unmovable roots and trust that our branches can sway with the mighty winds of change, while our core remains solid.

As the sun gently begins to set below the mountains and the winds are tamed through the passage of time, I wish you a most peace-filled new year that uplifts and illuminates your soul.