Today's Life Lessons

Today's Life Lessons : Learning from Trees photo from http://www.takeprideinutah.org/artificial-tree-absorbs-harmful-gases.html BUSINESS MATTERS (BEYOND THE BOTTOM LINE) By Francis J. Kong (The Philippine Star) Updated January 29, 2011 12:00 AM Comments (0)

Part of our high school educational requirement many years ago was to plant trees. Under the scorching heat of the sun, with the continuous prodding of our teachers, my classmates and I planted trees. Now I don’t know whatever happened to the seedlings we planted, because it was very apparent at that time that I am not gifted with the ability to grow things. Every single flower I ever planted died. But I suppose some good came out of the efforts of us students.

Speaking of, here’s an article by an unknown author entitled “All I Need To Know About Life I Learned From Trees” which gives some wonderful lessons:
• It’s important to have roots.
• In today’s complex world, it pays to branch out.
• If you really believe in something, don’t be afraid to go out on a limb.
• Be flexible so you don’t break when a harsh wind blows.
• Sometimes you have to shed your old bark in order to grow.
• Grow where you’re planted.
• It’s perfectly okay to be a late bloomer.
• Avoid people who would like to cut you down.
• Get all spruced up when you have a hot date.
• If the party gets boring, just leaf.
• You can’t hide your true colors as you approach the autumn of your life.
• It’s more important to be honest than popular.
Those are good lessons. They remind me of some other lessons taught in Psalm 1: “Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor stands in the path of sinners, nor sits in the seat of the scornful; But his delight is in the law of the LORD, and in His law he meditates day and night. He shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that brings forth its fruit in its season, whose leaf also shall not wither; and whatever he does shall prosper.” (v.1-3)

The Psalmist says that a godly man is like a tree in three very important ways. First, the godly man is well-planted in the law of the Lord – he’s got his roots put down deep. And he’s fortified, he’s stable. Second, he bears fruit – he develops godliness in his character and life. Third, he doesn’t wither – he is able to survive under all circumstances, even in difficult times.
Stay away from losers. The company you keep can make you or break you. But the person who puts his faith in God and who does not only meditate on the Word but follows the commands of God as well will certainly find success.
And the winner knows timing. And he knows that God is the perfect Timer. And he knows that true success is long and it is lasting. True success is not getting rich quickly, not getting rich overnight, and not at the expense of others.

There’s a lot we can learn from trees. And so let me end with this story about trees.

A man was watching his eighty-year-old neighbor planting a small peach tree. He inquired as follows: “You don’t expect to eat peaches from that tree, do you?” The old man rested on his spade. He said, “No, at my age I know I won’t. But all my life I’ve enjoyed peaches – but never from a tree I’ve planted. I’m just trying to pay back those fellows who planted the trees for me.”

Be a good father and bring good kids who will blossom into productive citizens.
Be a good boss and influence people who will strive to be the best they can ever be.
Be a good mother and raise a godly family that will form the core of a powerful nation.
Be a good citizen and help make this country a better place.
When we are doing things like these, we are planting trees.
So why don’t you go out and plant a tree for someone today?