Back in the early 90’s I was as a zookeeper. Each Spring we would transport the Spider Monkeys from the indoor tropical building to a wonderful outdoor enclosure with trees and grass. Yay for the spider monkeys! Since none of us spoke Spider Monkey, we couldn’t really tell them what we were doing. For all they knew we were coming in to eat them so they always freaked out when we came walking towards them with nets. They didn’t know we were just trying to help them, that we were taking them to a great place to frolic in the sun and play in the grass and swing from the trees.
A few years ago I was laying in the grass at a park looking up at a tree and pondering what God’s will was for me. I noticed how the tree branches would be going one direction then shoot off in another. What made them do that? Then I realized a tree is just a tree. It’s being exactly what God intends it to be. It’s strong and provides shelter and food for everyone around it, just by being ITSELF! It’s not trying to be a rock star or grape bush, it’s just being the best tree it knows how to be.
For years I was like the Spider Monkey’s, freaking out every time life threw me a curve and wondering what the hell was going on. I didn’t realize God had a wonderful place he wanted me to be. A beautiful world where I could be free and do all the wonderful things that makes life so beautiful—like love and be loved. I just couldn’t see it. I was too busy trying to be a rock star.
So today I’m just trying to be the best “me” I can be. To let life take me to where I’m suppose to be and not just where I’ve ended up. To be the best human I can be, who can love and be loved. More like a tree.
photo credit: jphilipson
{ 1 trackback }
{ 9 comments… read them below or add one }
So if a tree should be like a tree should a human not be like a human?
Have you ever read “Ishmael” by Daniel Quinn Jared?
@Tom,
Yes, a human should be like a human. Allowing myself to be human and make mistakes also allows me to accept others as human and their mistakes.
I have not read Ishmael, however, I have heard of it and have it on my list. Thanks for reminding me.
I would put it right up there as probably the most life changing book I have ever read.
Your post just reminded me about it. Ishmael argues that there are two types of humans in this world. One are “leavers” who are all the indigenous cultures of the world living a sustainable fulfilling lifestyle. The other are the “takers” which is basically civilization. The takers way of life has been a short experiment, 10,000 years of humanity’s millions and millions. It has been a constant expansion from the Cradle of Civilization in the Middle East and eventually it will cease because there is no more room to grow.
Why it’s relevant is because for me to say “be like a human” could be confusing for somebody who hasn’t read Ishmael. When I say “be like a human” I mean be like a leaver. Because that is how a human is supposed to be.
Living in a taker society is highly confusing for us because we don’t know how to act. We wander around struggling for purpose and meaning. Humans are still wild animals, genetically programmed to be out hunting game rather than typing away on a computer.
So a tree just does what a tree does. But in modern society people can’t just do what a human does because we have forgotten how to do it. We are living a fake lifestyle that has divorced us from who we really are. Kind of like putting animals in a zoo. We have domesticated ourselves and we feel lost.
I hope that made some kind of sense.
@Tom,
That totally makes sense. I need to check out that book. I actually can relate… for the majority of my life I felt “never satisfied.” I’d conquer one goal only to find myself unfulfilled and looking for something else. From material possessions, relationships, to professions. I realized early on in my life that it was a cycle, sort of an awakening I guess in my early twenties that no matter what, I’d never be satisfied with life. The thing was though, I had no idea what to do with that information. So I just trudged along doing the best I could. Now I realize that’s probably why I drank so much and pretty much just stayed numb most of the time. At one point I did quit drinking for almost 7 years but I did NOT expand my spiritual side. I just became an introvert and obsessed with knowledge (computers, school, etc.) just another way of ducking out of life so to speak.
I was finally forced through severe emotional pain, to seek something different. Now I know that everything I truly need to be happy is within me. I just have to seek it and use the help of the God of my understanding. I pretty much just stopped running the show myself and turned it over to God, Higher Power, the Universe, Buddha, whatever you want to call it, for me it works. In all honesty, I’m busier now then I have ever been, but I don’t feel like it. I sponsor several guys who are going through similar things as I did and it feels good to use my past experiences to help others. Who would have thought that all the stuff I’ve been through could be of tremendous use! I’ve often said I had to do a million things perfectly wrong to get to where I’m at today, and for that I’m grateful.
I like that term, “leaver.” I was definitely a “taker” for most of my life. I don’t believe I was a bad person, I just didn’t know any better. I was always looking for what I was getting out of any situation, not what I had to offer. It can be as simple as having a conversation with someone. I used to just be waiting for my time to speak.. thinking “wow, when they hear what I’ve got to say it’s going to blow them away, I can ‘one-up’ that one!” Now, I catch myself when I start doing that, I remind myself to just listen-and if what I have to say is REALLY that important, God will remind me later and it will be brought out into the light. I can just let it go. I try to be more understanding than understood. It’s not about obtaining material things today but getting rid of things that I don’t need. I have a thing for shoes and I’m going to start throwing a bunch of them out or donating them… I mean do I really need 3 pairs of brown Doc Martens’… come on! It’s a work in progress but I’m getting there.
Thanks for insight on Ishmael and your comments!
Your post reminded me of a quote I posted on my own page about a week ago:
God is the experience of looking at a tree and saying, “Ah!”
~Joseph Campbell
I’ve had the epiphany of which you speak, too, and it is very freeing when you realize that the most that is asked of you is to just “be,” and be the best “you” that you are. It’s a very simple task but also a very hard one, no?
Yesterday, my fiance and I went to a local nursery to look for plants to sow in our new garden. As I walked through the rows and rows of beautiful flowers and herbs and shrubs, I felt an immense joy. And when I came around the bend in the walk and saw all of the roses before me, I actually cried. (And no I’m not an emotional chick). So beautiful.
@Chinia Girl
What a great quote! Thank you. That is experiencing His presence!
Hi Jared,
I hopped over here from You Are Truly Loved. This post brought tears of recognition and Joy. You have that connection with the universe that is so powerful and beyond words. Re your post about fear…I don’t think you have far to go to be beyond fear completely. When you know that you are the infinite and nothing can diminish that in any way, what could there be to fear? You are All That Is. There is nothing outside of you to fear! Common sense/connection to the divine will make sure that you keep this body safe, fear is not needed for that purpose. You definitely have that connection to the divine! Glad you’ve found Ariel’s site and welcome! I’m going to abscond with your Old English Proverb and add it to the Favorite Quotes post in Ariel’s forum. Love it! Very true! Thanks for spreading your divinity!
@Julie,
Thanks for stopping by and leaving such a warm comment!
da best. Keep it going! Thank you