Each tree in the forest has its own locale for life. Its own point of view for its life. A place of birth. To begin. To live. Defined by it. Adapting to the many changes it awaits. Surviving from where it is. As best it can.
One, tall and straight, stretches to kiss the sky each day. Another is clothed and full of coat and rich in color, roots deeply embedded into the darkest brown moist sweet sugar dirt. The next, a crooked brother, short and bent by the wind, shaped for it and by it. Then, the scraggly sister with bare feet gripping to life on its rocky hillside, taking what only is needed to live fully.
In the forest, equal does not mean same. Neither does it in our lives. In our forest, where we live, we all share the soil. Our possibilities are endless. Our lessons outnumber our lives. As seedlings, we attach ourselves, dependent and individual in entry and exit, in life and in death.
In our forest, greed and compassion reside together. It is all of life after all, utterly imperfect. Little scrubs find a home in a place where once powerful landlords huddled together to keep the sun from the smallest and weakest. The greediest always forget that gangs and bullies ultimately devour their own. The tiniest scrubs waited while the self proclaimed great ones turned on each other, leaving a soil rich for birth. Taking what they're given. Not what they want. The smartest kings learn that the kingdom is healthiest when they make room for the smallest to plant roots that will draw and hold moisture not only for their tiny selves, but for their protector.
In our forest no voice is unheard. In our forest, listening is the art.
I am overwhelmed at the voices I hear in my forest. Delighted by the stories I hear. The millions of opinions, in tones, shades, shapes and resonances. In my forest there are no foreigners. Only languages I have not learned yet.
About two years ago, I planted my little butt seedling here at OpEd. I picked a spot where I hoped I could hear as much as possible. I did not want to be in the dark shadows of the Redwood or the Sequoia. Neither did I wish get scalded by the sun, out in the open and alone. Exhausted in my quest for control and certainty, I gave in to not having either.
I found a spot and began to listen. A place where I could answer if need be, without having to yell across the plains. I didn't want a martyred life. I had lived much of my own life fluttering through, hovering safely above the party. Waiting for a perfect spot to set down. No such place. Silly me.
I remembered how giving up my expectations some 12 years ago gave way to me having my loving family. But I still had inside me a quiet passion to stretch out. To find something more for me in my world, for my world. To answer a voice that told me we are part of.
But mostly I wanted to listen. To any and all gracious enough to come closer. And yes, also to be heard.
What I found were voices that have enriched my world. Sounds and shapes that have been like threads to a tapestry of new colors in this world I am part of. New and different thoughts and opinions. Wonderful new ideas and perspectives that have improved my eyesight and my empathy.
And one thing. Most very important.
I have stopped waiting for the world to change to my vision. I have changed my vision of the world. And I have learned how imperfectly beautiful the world is. How freaking painful and haunting truth is. How we are each a part. How we each are essential. Without the other, our image is forever incomplete.
With all joy I say, we are not alone. I thank you all.
P.S.: I had thought as I began to jot this down I would label all the various folks I reside with here at OpEd as different trees. Oak, pine, etc. You can guess what I may have considered the Yosemite version of Tom Murphy or Mark Sashine. But I will leave it to each of you to determine how we each see each other. That is after all what this is all about. Our lives. Separate yet joined.
56 years on this jumpin' green sphere. Musician. Own and operate a music store to help kids find a possible life long friend. I believe in the soul and the search. Happily married w/ 2 boys. Published songwriter. play bass, piano and gut string guitar. there are no solutions..only alternatives. Ask questions. Listen. Be fair and don't expect. Baseball is a mirror. Don't ask....unless you have time and a sense of humor. Peace is never easy, but worth it. Always.
so I shall not offer much because I am touched, overwhelmed, and grateful for the sheer beauty of words that seem to be gracing these pages more and more these days. Your:
"I have stopped waiting for the world to change to my vision. I have changed my vision of the world. And I have learned how imperfectly beautiful the world is. How freaking painful and haunting truth is. How we are each a part. How we each are essential. Without the other, our image is forever incomplete."
is a tribute to the human spirit and resiliency. If only everyone could be as open.
Thank you.
by
Jan Baumgartner (49 articles, 136 quicklinks, 10 diaries, 249 comments)
on Wednesday, July 2, 2008 at 5:30:28 PM
.....music & Open mic nite for the kids taking music lessons at my shop.
8 year old Tyler playing the Star Spangled Banner, 7 year old Jeremy doing surf beats on a drum set five times his size. 15 year old Haylie playing and singing a song from "A Mighty Wind". Parents and friends, listening and applauding as the individual spirits of these hearts shoot out, adding to the sounds of unmistakable truth, unmarketed naked expressions of the purest soul. Sing I say. All of us.
Our words and our music are ourweapons. No army can ever defeat these voices. There are and will be casualties. They may win a battle.
Not the war.
I truly believe that.
Thank you Jan.....from you it means a lot.
peace
by
mikel paul (10 articles, 1 quicklinks, 7 diaries, 393 comments)
on Wednesday, July 2, 2008 at 10:48:45 PM
From my memory of your various comments and the like, you are living in Germany? A geographically unchallenged ex pat (your bio)? Sounds to me like you are quite a pat, not an ex.
I appreciate your more than kind words. Funny you should comment, your name being in the title. "We are trees. Together we are a tony."
Really though, in spite of the lousy low scoring pun, it is wonderful always to be heard, and be told. One great perk in life is when a sincere offer is accepted. It is amazing to me how many do not seem to be listening. The positive side of that is the audience is huge and ripe for our voices. Or at least a back rub to get started.
Keep firing your weapons Tony... thanx again.
peace
by
mikel paul (10 articles, 1 quicklinks, 7 diaries, 393 comments)
on Thursday, July 3, 2008 at 1:39:11 PM
I published and headlined this, and that says something. But further, this writing touched me. Nicely done. And let's see more of the same. It's not all about politics.
by
Rob Kall (807 articles, 3921 quicklinks, 332 diaries, 1702 comments)
on Thursday, July 3, 2008 at 2:20:28 PM
Thank you Rob for publishing and heading it. That means you liked it. That is the cherry.
I'm a writing work in progress but am responding with all the support of you and others who are so encouraging for my soul. Kinda proves my point how we are joined in all this.
I applaud your efforts as well in running this ship. Your work is greatly noticed. A moment to notice that you prep work is the reason I have a box to stand on. Thanx seems not enough but will have to do here.
Perhaps sometime we can compare hair thinning. Truth be told, we are very close. A sign at least that it is not an issue for either of us.
Nice to hear The boss likes it. Feels good.
Thanx again.
peace
by
mikel paul (10 articles, 1 quicklinks, 7 diaries, 393 comments)
on Thursday, July 3, 2008 at 3:34:59 PM
Namaste is an Indian greeting that I read about a few years and (as a collector of words!) loved. It is a greeting/acknowledgement from the 'best part of me' - to the same in you. Soul to soul/heart of the tree to heart of the tree :)
It is a word that removes the divisions between us by getting to the root of our shared sameness.
so...
Namaste
by
tinalouise (1 articles, 1 quicklinks, 3 diaries, 21 comments)
on Friday, July 4, 2008 at 4:49:17 AM
9 comments
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