Tree Teachers
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I love trees.  Not only are they beautiful but they also teach us a lot about our own situations:

Trees can grow tall and strong BUT it does depend on their location and the soil.  Pretty much like us too.  We all have the capacity to grow strong physically, in mind and in spirit BUT it depends on where we live and the social ground we live in.  If the 'soil' that nurtures us is rich and not fettered by limited climate, we have a really good chance of being strong and fruitful.  The soil needs to hold opportunity, access to education and the freedom to spread out and imagine.  That's the food.

But the ground also needs to be stable in order for a tree to spread deep and sturdy roots.  Like us too, we need the security of a sound government that let's us not just dig deep roots but to actually be a part of that governing system that keeps us secure while we grow. 

Large and strong limbs permit trees to not just shelter themselves and reach out to the sun, but permits them to provide shelter for others too, like birds and  squirrels, even shade for those who sit upon the ground under those great arms.  Just like us too.  When we're able to grow strong, we're also able to share and provide for not just ourselves, but for others......and it usually doesn't interfere with our own lives at all, but rather, enhances it.

Trees survive too by being able to bend, some a lot and others just enough under the onslaught of wind and rain.  Sometimes a tree just lets whatever is coming that cannot be stopped, like a speeding car, simply smash into their massive girth.  Just like us too.  If we can bend we can survive or accept some changes that we cannot otherwise control.  We just need to know when to bend, OR when to stand firm and let the speeding decisions die against our own refusing and unrelenting principals.

Sometimes a tree grows in a difficult place, but without feet or even a mouth to ask, it needs to be moved.  It takes help from outside to transplant it to a better ground.  Just like us.  Sometimes we're in a place that cannot nurture or protect us, a place that if we have to remain there will surely destroy us.  But sometimes we cannot do this on our own, it takes someone else to lift us out. 

Sometimes a tree is safer within a group of other trees than it is alone where lightening sees only a single target.  BUT, sometimes it's better to be free of the other trees if a fire starts too.  Just like us there is often safety in a larger community, but if that community becomes sick, or is under attack, we probably will suffer too. 

Sometimes the larger forest provides not just sanctuary, but also food from one generation to the other from decomposing debris from older trees.  Just like us, we learn a lot from the history that gave us birth.  But we also are given access to shared resources. 

Sometimes trees are cut down and turned into logs or paper.  No one heard them scream and they couldn't run away.  Just like us, sometimes others use us for their own agenda without any remorse to the damage they do because they don't 'see' the damage, they only see the profit. 

Trees, like everything in nature can teach us a lot about ourselves but sometimes that means you have to not just 'look' you need to 'see' and you need to 'listen' because even a tree has a voice and is an astonishing teacher.