Have you ever stopped for a moment to take in the beauty of a single tree?
I was on a walk when I looked upward and noticed the blue clarity of the sky and how the singular tree in my view stood out against that infinite backdrop. Early on in my development, I was somehow blessed with this love of the tree. I love the forest, but only as I am allowed to care for its trees one by one. Why this is so I don’t know. It just is.
The forest is singular when viewed as an aggregation and plural when seen as a collection of individual trees. To admire the beauty of the forest is a worthwhile meditation. The scope of a singular appreciation requires distance; and the distance is either literal or figuratively from afar as one fails to focus on an individual member of the forest.
Blinded by the canopy of the forest, we miss the privilege of being aware of the tree. To say we love a collective of humans may be honest affection, but realize this brand of love is limited if it has not been allowed to flow through one person at a time.
From one, and then to another, your love as a leader does its work. The collective forest of which you are a part yields the breath of life for all. Each individual receives the proper supply of nutrients to be a productive member of the forest thanks to your unique brand of leadership love.
It is easy to lose one’s self in the midst of the forest. In fact, it is inevitable that the wanderer will get lost if she pays no attention to each individual tree. It is by knowing each tree individually that the wanderer keeps track of her place within the context of the greater forest. To leave the forest, one must know where they are.
To save the world, you must save everyone. To save everyone, you must save them one at a time. To save one, you must first save yourself. After a lifetime of looking outward and becoming distracted by the trials of others, looking inward and coming to terms with the trials within is a daunting, frightening prospect. But awareness of self is the key to becoming fully aware of others. After awareness, then the real work of tending the forest can begin.
I appreciate your analogy about the trees, one of my favorite quotes is “you can’t see the forest for the trees.” It reminds me to both look individually and pan out. Looking at groups of people without delving into their individual gifts means that we don’t get the full richness, doesn’t it?
Sue Painter
You have pointed out something I hadn’t thought about this way before, Jeff. Thank you. I must admit that I notice the individual trees (and persons) and become totally absorbed by their beauty and uniqueness, but more often miss noticing them when I’m looking at the forest (or the crowd). I’m thinking that I will change my focus to individuals when I’m in the middle of the crowd at those Chamber coffees.
I think I have always looked more at the individual tree first and then the rest of the forest. Being singularly focused is wonderful to take in the beauty and uniqueness of the tree, but I’m making an effort to remember to widen my view and take in the entire picture that has been painted for me.
Terri Brooks
Twitter – @terribrooks
Very beautifully written, excellent analogy. I echo Terri, I look at the trees ( people) individuals first and often forget that we are all part of the forest of humanity! Thanks again for widening my viewpoint!
Beautiful post, Jeff. It reminds me of the first time I went for a hike in the Smokies. I found myself looking down so I wouldn’t trip and break my ankle. I had to remind myself to stop and look around and enjoy the beauty of the trees and the sounds of the wilderness. It’s so different to look at the mountains from Knoxville and actually being on a trail. Same tress, different perspective.
Kristina Shands
Beautiful Jeff. I think we forget that like us trees and in fact all things have consciousness. Are they not equally as important as we are? Maybe more so as they feed us. Thanks for reminding us to stop and notice the trees.
Julie Hawkins
Thanks for the great post Jeff! I too love to catch a glimpse of a single tree against a deep blue sky. There’s something so calming to me about taking in the beauty around me.
Sandy Rees
So lovely. Jeff, this reminds me of an experience I had while backpacking in the desert. There was a single juniper tree standing regally on the high desert plain. In the vast expanse of the desert and sky, I dropped to the ground. Awestruck by the tree, the sky and the desert floor. In love with each simultaneously as one and as whole. mmmmmmm. Thanks for the memory.