August 12, 2018

A common theme in my life – lessons are all around us. This simple tree in my front yard has become a vehicle for one of these lessons.  Person after person on multiple occasions has offered their unsolicited opinion that I should cut down and remove this “dead” tree.  That a tree, this tree, should illicit so many “calls to action” on my part from others is quite interesting and curious in and of itself. How many other trees are “existing” within a hundred yards of this one that go unnoticed and uncommented on.  These same people take no role or expend no energy on the presence and existence of these other trees.  It would appear that this tree becomes a subject of their mental energy only because they feel I have some control over this tree, and therefore, their opinion about it should matter to me.  That these same individuals have assumed the mantle of judge and jury in the determination of the status of this tree is far more surprising and insightful.  Where they see a dead tree, I see life – new growth even if minimal, perseverance, determination and energy.  Who am I to decide that that growth and determination is not sufficient to be allowed to continue.  Just because I have the power to cut the tree down does not mean I have the authority to do so.  Too much of today’s society is based on taking action or subjugating people, ideas and actions because one group has power.  We tend these days to wield this power without the consciousness of where our authority boundaries are.  Of all the rights and gifts that nature, God and fate has bestowed upon us – this use of power was never one of them.