Some of you know that we recently moved to a new home. Our builder planted two saplings in our back yard that face a clearing where it can be very windy. One of the trees along with its root ball blew over in a strong wind and required staking. The other also needed staking because it began growing at an angle due to the wind.
After researching the best way to stake a tree, I learned that master gardeners avoid staking a tree whenever possible. Staking should be temporary and brief. Trunk movement from the wind is beneficial for the sapling in at least three ways, by:
1. Promoting root growth
2. Strengthening the trunk
3. Tapering the trunk from bottom to top.
Our sunroom looks out onto the two trees (only one has survived, but that’s a story for another day), and that’s the place where I often enjoy a cup of coffee in my “thinking chair.” Recently I was thinking about the way in which the trees bending in the wind mirror the way we become more resilient. As the winds of adversity bear down on us, we can grow tougher and stronger — just like the tree — if we have developed deep roots of passion and perseverance. The wind of adversity can blow us out of our comfort zone where real personal growth most often occurs. It may blow off a dying branch that is sapping resources from more vital branches. And it may drive us to seek out partnerships with those who are stronger and have weathered past storms.
It reminded me of saying #25 from the 30 Sayings of the Wise: “If you falter in a time of trouble, how small is your strength!”
If you aspire to become more gritty and seek to interact with others on that journey, watch for details of our next event.
This post was inspired by Strong Winds Make Strong Trees – 3 Ways to Develop Resilient Team Members.