Roots to rise
Wow, what’s that?!
One early morning in the woods, walking the dog, I noticed a big maple tree that had fallen overnight on the trail. I was surprised, since it had not been that windy last night. Looking at the bottom of the tree, I saw some amazingly short roots, sticking out horizontally into the air, into nowhere. Like little fingers, empty-handed, having nothing to offer, helpless.
Later that day, a friend who has lived in the DC area for long time, told me it’s not uncommon for that to happen. Because of the wet, swampy area, with only a few nutrients from the soil and lots of water, trees sometimes grow too fast, too quickly. It makes them look impressive and tall. But without long, strong roots they fall over easily one day. Not having been tested and weathered in time, they topple over with just a little head wind.
What happens in nature, applies to us just as well. After all, we’re part of nature. When I noticed the tree, my thoughts automatically drifted off to my yoga teacher.
‘Roots, we need roots to rise!’ I heard her say. She always would have us first standing on our two feet firmly, before doing any other standing pose.
The next day, I walked into John’s office. He had started his own company a while ago, and since small business is not for those faint at heart, he was dealing with stress and anxiety in this time of change. I shared with him the story of the tree, trying to take away the pressure of wanting to be successful immediately. Some things need time and investment first.
‘Well, it’s funny you are mention this, because I had a similar thought recently’, John replied. ‘It also has to do with a kind of tree. We have a backyard with a lot of bamboo in it. Inherited from the previous owner. Bamboo is pretty, but a horror to control, it’s like a weed, you can’t get rid of it. But do you know it takes 5 years for the seed of a bamboo to sprout for the first time?!’ No, I did not. ‘During these 5 years, it’s invisible, getting ready, preparing to grow roots, invisible. But once it’s there, it’s everywhere and all over the place. And that’s how I imagine will be the story of my business, it will take 5 years, but then it’s going to be very successful!’ He looked proud and seemed to wait for some kind of approval.
‘And why should it take so many years for your business to be successful?’ was my question in return. ‘Why should you be hiding, and waiting all that time? What keeps you from becoming active? What is it you can do right now?’
Not expecting this reply, he looked at me for a few seconds, startled. Then he sighed and said ‘you’re completely right, let’s schedule our next session next week. I do have some ideas germinating, and I’d like to discuss them together’.
On my way home I smiled, thinking how once again it is all about balance. Yes, we need roots to rise, and this takes time. But besides time, we need activity. Perhaps behind the scenes, and not visible yet, like John’s bamboo seed. That’s all right. But don’t let time become an excuse for inactivity. Neither be only active, without taking time to develop stronger roots.
How are you balancing time and activity right now? Is it time to become active, or is it time to take a break?
Contact me if you’d like to find out!
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