CHIEF: An Admirable Being
CHIEF: An admirable Being
During the drought being experienced here in East Texas, indeed in much of the country, I have noticed the turning of green plants into brown with sadness. First the grasses, then other underbrush, then the young saplings, and lastly, the large, older, more established, mature hardwoods. Indeed, many of the latter show no signs of the lack of rain.
Upon just a moment of thought, I realized how this makes sense. The smaller the plant, the more shallow its root system and therefore the first to suffer damage from lack of moisture and the drying of its leaves. But the big, tall hardwoods have grown deep into the protective cover of Mother Earth’s soil where the moisture contained therein is not so susceptible so quickly to the drying effects of the sun’s hot rays upon the few inches of surface soil. These trees have been through droughts before and perhaps in their way they have developed coping skills; slower growth, a closing or turning of the leaves to lessen the surface area exposed to the drying rays of prime time sunlight; the full opening of the leaves during the cooler hours of the day.
We humans are similar to that in times of hardship. We concentrate all our energy on the task or problem at hand, and save our reserve for other needs we may have later. Do I properly channel my energy so that I am always on a firm foundation or do I use my energy inefficiently by channeling it in totally inappropriate areas, like worry about the past or future?. Do I tackle the task at hand as effectively as I am able, refusing to divert my attention to something else that a lower priority?
Let me be like the mature, well-established oak tree I have named Chief. I named him this due to all his battle scars he has accumulated during his lifetime. Scars obtained in battles with weather of all kinds, insect infestation, mold and mildew buildup, and perhaps mistreatment by humans seeking firewood or from other animals seeking shelter. He is missing members from his main trunk and indeed his top is non-existent except as a hollowed out carcass of bark through which I can see daylight. But this hollow provides shelter to numerous species of plants and animals. Furthermore, from off his backside he sports large sturdy branches virulent with foliage even during the current drought.
If hard times should come my way, let me be like Chief; relying upon my strong foundation, discard that which is unnecessary to the task at hand, and thus prioritize the expenditure of my energy.
I am not currently in a drought period in my life; but there have been times in the past where indeed I thought I might perish. But, like Chief, should hard time comes I will rely upon my deep root system, well established, and will concentrate all my energy toward the problem at hand, if and when one should arise.
Meantime, I’ll keep close watch on Chief and learn from him for he is a Being to admire.
During the drought being experienced here in East Texas, indeed in much of the country, I have noticed the turning of green plants into brown with sadness. First the grasses, then other underbrush, then the young saplings, and lastly, the large, older, more established, mature hardwoods. Indeed, many of the latter show no signs of the lack of rain.
Upon just a moment of thought, I realized how this makes sense. The smaller the plant, the more shallow its root system and therefore the first to suffer damage from lack of moisture and the drying of its leaves. But the big, tall hardwoods have grown deep into the protective cover of Mother Earth’s soil where the moisture contained therein is not so susceptible so quickly to the drying effects of the sun’s hot rays upon the few inches of surface soil. These trees have been through droughts before and perhaps in their way they have developed coping skills; slower growth, a closing or turning of the leaves to lessen the surface area exposed to the drying rays of prime time sunlight; the full opening of the leaves during the cooler hours of the day.
We humans are similar to that in times of hardship. We concentrate all our energy on the task or problem at hand, and save our reserve for other needs we may have later. Do I properly channel my energy so that I am always on a firm foundation or do I use my energy inefficiently by channeling it in totally inappropriate areas, like worry about the past or future?. Do I tackle the task at hand as effectively as I am able, refusing to divert my attention to something else that a lower priority?
Let me be like the mature, well-established oak tree I have named Chief. I named him this due to all his battle scars he has accumulated during his lifetime. Scars obtained in battles with weather of all kinds, insect infestation, mold and mildew buildup, and perhaps mistreatment by humans seeking firewood or from other animals seeking shelter. He is missing members from his main trunk and indeed his top is non-existent except as a hollowed out carcass of bark through which I can see daylight. But this hollow provides shelter to numerous species of plants and animals. Furthermore, from off his backside he sports large sturdy branches virulent with foliage even during the current drought.
If hard times should come my way, let me be like Chief; relying upon my strong foundation, discard that which is unnecessary to the task at hand, and thus prioritize the expenditure of my energy.
I am not currently in a drought period in my life; but there have been times in the past where indeed I thought I might perish. But, like Chief, should hard time comes I will rely upon my deep root system, well established, and will concentrate all my energy toward the problem at hand, if and when one should arise.
Meantime, I’ll keep close watch on Chief and learn from him for he is a Being to admire.
posted by Sandra | 8:49 PM
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