Nature | Reciprocal

Root Taught Me How To Grow into Our Strongest Selves

Response to the last week prompt of December 2022

Consider a tree for a moment. As beautiful as trees are to look at, we don't see what goes on underground - as they grow roots. Trees must develop deep roots in order to grow strong and produce their beauty. But we don't see the roots. We just see and enjoy the beauty. In much the same way, what goes on inside of us is like the roots of a tree.

-Joyce Meyer

Without its roots, a tree cannot grow. A tree is nothing without its roots. We learned significant life lessons from tree roots. We can learn a variety of lessons about wisdom from trees. No matter how tall you have become, you should never lose sight of your origins and the place where you truly belong. This lesson was given to us by a tree with roots in the ground that nevertheless climbs to the sky. Stay in touch with your inner self.

Much like staying firmly planted in place can enable you to overcome any challenge, no matter how big, a deeper root system enables a tree to survive even the fiercest winds without being uprooted. Your inner world is what matters the most, regardless of what occurs in the outside world.

“Storms make trees take deeper roots.” -Dolly Parton

Another life lesson we might glean from tree roots is this one. A root that encounters challenges on a regular basis gets thicker and stronger. When you look back on your life, you will be able to see how those difficulties molded you into the person you are now.

The thing that we all need to be more careful about is that we should grow and maintain strong roots for ourselves by knowing who we are, where we come from, and where we want to go so that we can experience each moment fully. Having strong roots means staying grounded, clear, and focused.

Wild storms and other severe weather may cause trees to sway wildly, but their roots nevertheless enable them to stand and endure. As a result, we can discover that we are more powerful than we realize. It only takes realizing our full potential because we all have it. As a result, we should always be proud of our heritage and never forget our beginnings. I want to end this post with a poignant quotation.

There is beauty in our roots. Sometimes we think our roots are shameful, and people tell you that you're no good or your ancestors are no good or that you come from a neighborhood of no hope and terrible crime. But it's about the beauty of those places, and I carry that with me.

-Luis Alberto Urrea

I am thankful to Dr. Preeti Singh for always coming up with wonderful and profound nature prompts for the “nature column” and inspiring all of us to write about and think deeply about nature.

I am grateful to both amazing editors of Reciprocal Yana Bostongirl and Dr. Preeti Singh