To celebrate my oldest daughter, Eliana’s graduation from high school, we gave her a choice. She could either have a graduation party (where kind people give gifts and money), or a trip.
Being a fairly adventurous person, she chose the trip and ultimately narrowed it down to Costa Rica. Bottom line, her major in college is Spanish and so touring a Spanish speaking nation was quite high on her list of places to see.
While we were there, the touring company we went with gave us an immersive experience. We saw sloths, a coffee plantation, a swinging bridge trail through the rainforest and everything in between. Oddly enough, there was even some time for rest and relaxation as well!
One of the craziest things I had ever seen occurred on the swinging bridge tour. It was the Socratea Exorrhiza better known as the Walking Tree. It is a palm tree that’s native to tropical rainforests in Central and South America. If a nearby tree grows taller and crowds out its ability to receive sunlight, the tree ‘walks’ from shade to sunlight by growing roots in the direction it wants to travel, the allowing the old roots to lift into the air and die.
The mobility of the tree is one of the most fascinating features. It can move 0.79 – 1.18 inches per day! Its leaves crave the nutrients of the sun, and as other trees jockey for space above the rainforest canopy to soak in the precious light, it moves into position by ‘walking’ to it.
From shade to the sun. Perhaps you’ve been there. No, I don’t mean in the rainforest, I mean in life. You’ve been in the dark for far too long. Others around you seem to rise above and outpace you to the nutrients of the Light. You feel like you give more of yourself to others than you receive in return. And you’re tired. Your roots just don’t want to move anymore. It takes effort to ‘walk’ into the Light, to soak up the rays of optimism, joy and peace.
But it’s there, just a bit of effort. Worth every push. It’s worth every opportunity to let the old roots die. Those of toxic relationships, Below the Line thinking, and fearing the worst. It’s worth every effort to let new roots set in. Roots of positivity, Above the Line thinking, healthy relationships, and purpose.
The Light is there, within reach. Walk in that direction. Can’t walk? Crawl. Can’t crawl? Depend on others, they will help you through. You see, you’ve been in the shadows far too long. We need you to absorb the Light. We need you at your best. We need you to push forward, to solve problems, to create solutions. We need you to love others, to care for yourself, to engage in positive relationships.
With you, humanity survives, even thrives. Without you, a crucial piece of the puzzle is missing.
Stretch. Grow. Walk.
The Light is waiting.
Establish the roots of your purpose today.
