"Today's mighty oak is just yesterday's nut that held its ground."
- Anonymous
There are times in my life when I am overwhelmed with challenges. I've learned that not all of life's challenges turn into opportunities. I'm not alone when it comes to good times and bad. The road of life is not always smooth. It's true, there are many rough days that are caused outside of my control - sometimes, I make it harder on myself than it needs to be - so I bend and flex, taking many different turns.
As I get older, I sometimes forget about the bumps in the road I had to travel, or how many times I stretched myself beyond what seemed normal for the human capacity. How many times did I think to myself, I'm going to get this done, even if it kills me...
Like many people, I was nuts about being ambitious, a risk taker, climbing higher and higher to reach for the stars. I got scrapped and bruised along the way, but I kept going, growing, moaning, groaning, smiling, striving to achieve.
Autumn is here now. I think about the colors of gold, red, yellow, shades of green, and the crisp leaves that have fallen from their branches. The season of Fall reminds me that life is meant to change. November is nearly here, followed by winter. Like magic, one season is over, another one begins. It's like that way with life you know.
Like the mighty oak that stood its ground, it persevered. People came into my world; then disappeared - some remained. Birds made their nests inside the oak's branches, then the mother nodged her babies out of the nest, so that they could move on with their lives. The cycle of life is pretty amazing, when you think about it...
Life is a series of birth, life, and death. We don't like to think about the passing on or the grave dangers that loom ahead. So, like the mighty oak, I keep that nut inside me tucked inside, very much alive, healthy, and strong. From inside that nut flows creativity, hopes and dreams. I will never let go of of my values because they are at the core of who I am. My arms are the branches that keeps stretching out, upward, and reaches up to the sky. This nut hangs on to hopes and dreams.
I think about the mountains I climbed on the Appalachian trails, back in the late 1980's and early 90's, mostly solo. Although risky it was, I had faith. My faith was always strong, especially when it came to my own personal life challenges. People thought I was some kind of nut and warned me not to do it alone - I did it anyways. I found people along the trails of my life - some of who are still friends of mine. It was then that I discovered that it was necessary to keep going, keep moving from one peak to another. I was younger then, but not so different than who I am today.
I find that the farther I go, the more I want to see. The more I see, the more ambitious I am about who I want to be. The funny thing is, I don't worry so much about things that are inconsequential - it's not worth investing my time with worries. Doubts and fears robs me of my imagination. For now, I'll keep doing the things I love. My work is my livelihood. Nature is my balance. People turn up in my life when I need them the most. Family is everything. Life is meant to enjoy. I concentrate on the mighty oak because its branches stirs my imagination.
"Today's mighty oak is just yesterday's nut that held its ground."
- Anonymous
© Patricia Feager, October 17, 2011.
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