CHOOSING TO THRIVE
Please welcome our newest guest blogger Galen Pearl
Yield and overcome
Bend and be straight
–Tao Te Ching
I spent a lovely weekend at my mountain cabin recently. The cabin sits in dense forest just above a rushing creek. On the far side of the creek is a ridge, which keeps that side of the creek in shade for much of the day.
When I’m at the cabin, I spend a lot of time at the creek. I like to have my morning tea sitting on its bank. On a hot day, I stay close to the creek. The water comes from melting snow further up the mountain. The icy temperature creates natural air conditioning above the dancing race of sparkling froth.
Over a year ago, sudden warm weather after a heavy snow flooded the creek. Boulders and trees swept downstream like thundering herds of buffalo. Afterwards, I saw that a birch tree on the far side of the creek had toppled over. It lay balanced on several rocks just above the water, its base hidden in the underbrush by the creek’s edge. Over the winter, it looked just like the other logs and driftwood scattered along the banks.
But with spring came a surprise. Bright green leaves budded and unfurled along its branches. It was not only living, it was thriving. On my recent visit, I contemplated its strange existence. The roots, I concluded, must still be anchored on the bank. As I examined it from my side of the creek, I realized that the tree was now strategically placed to get the maximum sunlight during the day. Away from the ridge and from the towering evergreens, the birch tree’s branches were in the most open area right in the middle of the creek.
The tree seemed unabashed by its precarious and awkward position. It was not ashamed at being horizontal. It was in perfect harmony with the creek and the sun, happy to be alive, busy with photosynthesis, unconcerned with what the other trees thought.
The phrase “bloom where you’re planted” comes to mind. When I lived overseas, I found that the expatriates who were most happy were those who were flexible, who let go of what was familiar and embraced their new environment with curiosity and a sense of adventure, along with a good sense of humor. There were times when I initially felt anxious, and I’m sure I looked foolish. But when I “got over myself,” I fell in love with my exotic surroundings. Every day was exciting. I learned new languages, tried new foods, respected new customs, made new friends.
Even when we are living in our “usual” surroundings, things happen that throw us into uncharted waters. I remember the first day I heard the word “autism” in relation to my son. I remember the day my daughter told me she was pregnant. I remember falling off the roof (of my beloved cabin!). I remember other times when my life changed in the blink of an eye. Many of these changes initially seemed like tragedies, and yet turned out to be my most cherished blessings, blessings I failed to recognize until I let go of my resistance and my fear.
We can’t always control our circumstances, but we can control our attitude towards them. Like the tree, we can bloom where we’re planted, and thrive.
BIO
Galen Pearl is the author of 10 Steps to Finding Your Happy Place (and Staying There), a blog devoted to helping us develop habits to grow a joyful spirit. In addition to writing, she leads workshops and discussion groups focused on increasing the joy in our lives.
Hi Galen, Hi Nancy!
I am often informed and amazed by nature. We can learn so much by observation. I love the way you say it, “The tree seemed unabashed…” You have to love trees!
Your cabin reminds me of my happy place! I spend a lot of time there staring into the lake!
Lori
Lori Gosselin recently posted..Did You See The Moonwalking Bear?
What a fine post, Galen! You’re so good at finding the wisdom that awaits in the everyday wonders of Nature.
I’ve always loved the “bloom where you are planted” maxim, but it brings to mind a tree we learned about in Costa Rica. Living in dappled forest sunlight, it “walks” (actually moving its roots and then shifting its small canopy) toward places with the most sunlight.
So, maybe it’s not just bloom where you’re planted, but also a bit of “If you don’t like it where you are, go someplace where you do.”
Jeffrey Willius recently posted..THE SENSE OF SOLITUDE – Healing In the Wilderness
Such a joy to read this post, Galen. I too had a gorgeous short trip and thought of you as I looked at the mountains
Who knows? We might have been sipping tea at the same time in our respective places!
Yes, I’ve noticed and always marveled at how surprises/shocks/unexpected things turn into cherished memories. Hugs. Glad I am here
Vidya Sury recently posted..Up, Up and Away!
Oops..I forgot to mention – what a beautiful name this site has.
Happy to be here, Nancy!
Vidya Sury recently posted..Up, Up and Away!
What a great example, Galen. Bloom where you are at. This is so true. It is always our attitudes and perceptions of things that we need to adjust. I had a dream once where someone was telling me to adjust my mirror. What a great lesson and so glad to see you on Nancy’s blog. It feels more like a big family now!
Nicole Rushin recently posted..Ennui
Nicole, That was a deep dream, symbolic on so many levels. It reminds me of that quote by Anais Nin, “We don’t see things as they are. We see them as we are.” We need an adjusted mirror so that we can see ourselves clearly and without distortion. And thanks for the kind words. I have felt a closeness to you and Nancy ever since I discovered your blogs. @Nicole Rushin
Galen Pearl recently posted..Choosing to Thrive
This is such a beautiful and uplifting post, Galen. It really touched me because I’ve had to do this in my life. We can change our outlook when we feel out of place. After all, this is just a symptom of our inflexibility or fear on the inside.
Socially successful people are always those who have the ability to adapt, are resilient and can adjust.
Anne recently posted..People Are Watching You
Anne, Many people have been forced to do what I did by choice. That is, I chose to leave my home country to live in other countries. I have just read several books by courageous people who were forced to leave their homeland because of war or persecution. Their stories were much in my mind when I wrote this post. And of course, many of the adaptations we make are due to changes in our families or our health or other things besides physically changing locations. Thanks for your comment.@Anne
Galen Pearl recently posted..Choosing to Thrive
Vidya, Since I’ve always wanted to have tea with you, I like the idea that we were sipping tea in the mountains at the same time! Maybe you were having evening tea while I was having morning tea. Thanks for commenting.@Vidya Sury
Galen Pearl recently posted..Choosing to Thrive
Jeffrey, I’m going to go learn more about that walking tree! I love your additional wisdom about going where you are happy. Thanks for your comment.@Jeffrey Willius
Galen Pearl recently posted..Choosing to Thrive
Lori, I’ve learned a lot sitting by that creek! I’m sure a lake has just as much wisdom to share. Thanks for commenting.@Lori Gosselin
Galen Pearl recently posted..Choosing to Thrive
hi Galen:) Thanks for sharing this wisdom. Yes, that tree thrives no matter what the conditions are (unless a forest fire but I think a controlled burn does a tree good every few years right:) lol I love how you embraced new circumstances when living abroad and how you encourage us to embrace the new circumstances, changes and tragedies in our lives. No, we absolutely can’t change them but we can embrace them and learn to thrive under those conditions. I’m actually trying to put myself in newer unchartered territories and trying to embrace change and new circumstances in my life.
Hi Galen,
What a beautiful post. This tree really teaches us a wonderful lesson and I like how you said that the tree didn’t care about what other trees thought. I
t’s like animals. I go to a park to walk and run around the lake and the other day a woman was walking her 3 legged dog and that dog didn’t care he had only 3 legs he thrived and was enjoying that beautiful walk.
We need to be more like that tree and dog and enjoy life with what we have.
Thank you for this great post, Galen.
Sylviane Nuccio recently posted..Interview With Donna Merrill Personal Development Expert And Psychic
Sylvia, I had a 3 legged dog once. His name was Brady, but we called him Tripod! He was the best dog, very smart and very brave. I actually had several dogs who were like a pack–Brady was the alpha dog. None of the dogs cared that he had 3 legs. They all respected him as their leader. Thanks for your comment.@Sylviane Nuccio
Galen Pearl recently posted..Choosing to Thrive
What a refreshing posting here Galen,
I felt at the creek with you. You have melded the ‘thriving’ scenario with the realistic thriving/survival in nature so nicely…congrats & thankyou
be good to yourself
David
David Stevens recently posted..Living Life Today – Kick some Butt when your Energy is High
Vishnu, I know you are engaged in some very adventurous new experiences. I’m sure you are thriving just like the tree! Thanks for your comment.@Vishnu
Galen Pearl recently posted..Choosing to Thrive
David, Thanks for your kind words. Be good to yourself, too!@David Stevens
Galen Pearl recently posted..Choosing to Thrive
Attitude is everything. When I let myself get down my whole day can be ruined.This is a great thought provoking post.Thanks for sharing!
Beverly Monical recently posted..Reality Check: You Don’t Want To Do Video?
What an inspirational message and I love your story! The choices we make in life are so important … each and every choice we make contributes to the life we are creating, one day at a time.
marquita herald recently posted..Thinking Big Begins with a Dream and Then Requires a Journey
Hi Galen,
I enjoyed your post. “Many of these changes initially seemed like tragedies, and yet turned out to be my most cherished blessings, blessings I failed to recognize until I let go of my resistance and my fear.” I just wrote an article last week on how our choice of how we perceive and react to change affects our experience and outcome. Your story reinforces the importance of perception and attitude. Thank you!
Tonya Sheridan recently posted..Visualization; The Key to Manifesting
Beverly, You make an important point. Choosing our attitude early can affect the rest of our day. I have a painting in my bedroom titled “For today, newly bright.” I like to think that every day is a chance to start fresh with a good attitude. Thanks for your comment.@Beverly Monical
Galen Pearl recently posted..Choosing to Thrive
Tonya, Great minds think alike, as they say! I’m coming right over to see your blog. Thanks for commenting.@Tonya Sheridan
Galen Pearl recently posted..Choosing to Thrive
marquita, Thank you for the kind words. I like the way you phrased “the life we are creating.” When we see that we are responsible for creating our own life, we can make better choices. Thanks for commenting.@marquita herald
Galen Pearl recently posted..Choosing to Thrive
Beautiful post! Welcome Galen, Hi Nancy.. I am looking forward to your many contributions…You are a wonderful writer and I thank you for sharing your experiences with us. You moved me very much… Great share.
~ Nathalie
Nathalie Villeneuve recently posted..Are You At All Into Business Networking? If So, Don’t Do This
Wonderful story.
I can see why it appealed to you, Nancy.
You are one of the few people I know who can find roots anywhere you go. Stong healthy ones.
Tell the truth, Galen, did you know that about my BFF, Nancy, when you sent her this post?
Corinne Edwards recently posted..SHOW ME THE MONEY – Sales, Lies and Naked Truths – on Amazon
PS
I love what Nicole said.
“Welcome to the family.”
This is a very special group you know. You don’t have to a little crazy to be in it – but it helps.
Nathalie, Thanks for the kind and welcoming words. I’m happy to be here!@Nathalie Villeneuve
Galen Pearl recently posted..Choosing to Thrive
Corinne, Well, I already knew that Nancy spreads joy wherever she goes! Thanks for the words of welcome. I am a little crazy, sometimes more than a little, so I’ll fit right in!@Corinne Edwards
Galen Pearl recently posted..Choosing to Thrive
What a lovely post Galen, I could quite imagine the beauty of the tree, and you are so right, we must bloom in our current circumstances, thank you for this reminder
“We can’t always control our circumstances, but we can control our attitude towards them. Like the tree, we can bloom where we’re planted, and thrive”
wonderful, thank you
Jacs
Jacs Henderson recently posted..Frustrated with your MLM?
Thank you for a very good read Galen. As an expatriate, I know exactly what you are talking about. I find the greatest barrier to blooming where we are planted is not to compare ourselves to other trees, or to what it was like before the storm.
Now, this is how it is. When we embrace this, all our energy goes into this very moment, no wastage in comparisons, past or future.
Marien recently posted..Be your own Spiritual Coach: Find Peace
Jacs, Thanks for the kind words. It will be interesting to watch the tree over the next several years. @Jacs Henderson
Galen Pearl recently posted..I Give You My Shoes!
Marien, Is the US your home country? Where are you living now? I was very lucky to live in three very different places during my years as an expatriate–first in Bangkok, then in Abidjan (Ivory Coast), and last in Paris. I appreciate your expanded tree analogy! Thanks for your comment.@Marien
Galen Pearl recently posted..I Give You My Shoes!
Hi Galen,
thank you for sharing that with us. It is really amazing how nature can adapt to any conditions, good or bad. I think we are part of nature and thus we can adapt to anything that comes our way.
Mariella Lombardi recently posted..I Am Dying For A Brownie – Can I Have Sugar When Trying to Lose Weight?
Mariella, That’s true, isn’t it, that when we are in tune with our natural selves, we adapt in natural ways. Thanks for your comment.@Mariella Lombardi
Galen Pearl recently posted..I Give You My Shoes!
Hi Galen,
what a lovely post, beautifully written,so happy to read your post, very rightly said, we cannot change our circumstances, but definitely we can change the way we see, our perception is the most important and it influences everything in our lives! thanks for sharing.
G Angela, I just saw that tree again last weekend. It amazes me every time and reminds me of this lesson you described so well. Thanks for your comment.
Galen Pearl recently posted..The Finding Game