A Writing Therapy Reflection: A Story About the Message in the Tree

Missed you all. I’ve been away for a bit, but I’m comin’ at you with a different message for this particular day and for this particular time. It’s going to be therapeutically delivered by way of writing therapy reflection, if you don’t mind. Now, I’m not trying to get into the weeds with this blog post – just wanting to get across a little something for you to ponder and interject into your day . . . your life.

My absence has been due to some unforeseen circumstances. They’ve been those kinds of challenges that you can’t even whip up in your imagination and project for the course of your life. And, these challenges can take you down a peg or two. But, each day you wake up and experience (even with the challenge(s)) is a blessing because you still have a chance to live the day doing something about what life brings your way.

I’ve been thinking a lot about the message in the tree. Somewhat of a realistic fiction that was based on real-life events and created by yours truly. It’s the story of a husband and wife who were really close to uprooting a tree in their front yard and sending it to where the dead trees go . . . 

But . . . there was something that stayed the execution – a glimmer of hope for a better day. Because maybe, just maybe, tomorrow might be better for that dying tree. There was still life in it. The breath of life hadn’t been totally extinguished yet. And, why not give it another day? With the right environmental factors, steadfast care, and positive attitude to let nature do what nature does best, things could turn around (if just given another day).

So, this tree of life was still breathing. And there was still the slightest of chances that its breathing would be a little stronger the next day, and then the next, and then the next. Only time could tell.

Can you guess what happened to that tree that was supposed to be uprooted oh-so-many years ago?

Well — it survived, of course. But not only did it survive; IT ABSOLUTELY THRIVED!

This Amazing Overcomer is abundantly brilliant in its beauty. Its Fall leaves hold some of the most beautiful mahogany hues ever seen. And when Spring comes around, the white blossoms decorate its branches before its emerald elegance settles in. BEFORE: the tree’s trunk reeked of rot and disease; but NOW: it firmly and proudly holds its many branches and leaves that extend to house spectacular species of various living things throughout the seasons.

It’s weathered the storms of blustering winds, torrential rain, smothering snow, dangerous ice, damaging hail, tornado conditions, and scorching heat. And even managed to come back to life after being nearly dead. Instead of the tree looking sickly and fragile, it rebirthed into a healthy and strong structure. Even commanding . . . when you stop to really look at it.

Oh, this precious tree that was once on its way out from the land of the living is LIVING ITS BEST LIFE. It just needed another day . . . another opportunity . . . another chance . . . a little belief in it from the “outsiders” that its time wasn’t up. It still had some fight in it.

My friends . . . my family. Sometimes, life can get REALLY, REALLY hard. And, you almost feel blindsided with the impact – like the feeling of wind being knocked out of you and you’re down for the count. Where did that “hard thing” come from? And, how do I get back up on my feet after being knocked down and practically pinned to the ground.

But you know what? If you’re given the time (like a brand-new day) to adjust to life’s impact, there’s a possibility that things will get better. A new day . . . a new opportunity . . . a new chance to make an impact on that difficult situation and/or circumstance and turn it around.

Hope is renewed each second, each minute, each hour, each day, each week, each month, each year we are blessed to see. We, like the tree in the story, just need a little more time to adjust to life’s challenges. Situations and circumstances CAN always get better. They have that possibility.

So, let’s walk in the mindset to use our time to make positive impacts against our challenging situations and circumstances and see what that day and the next day bring as well as however many days there are to come. 

DON’T GIVE UP HOPE ON A BETTER & BRIGHTER DAY COMING!