The Metaphors of the Tree

THE METHAPORS OF THE TREE SARAH M. SUYOM WWW.SARAHSUYOM.COM

One day as I was doing one of my morning walks... Nature (trees in particular) spoke to me and gave me valuable lessons while I was feeling the trees, touching the barks, hugging them... and taking photos from my phone. So I started writing these inspired life lessons I seem to have downloaded from the trees... and birthed this beautiful list. THE METAPHORS OF THE TREE All photos are from my phone! Have fun reading! WWW.SARAHSUYOM.COM

Metaphor of the Tree 1 GROWTH IS PART OF YOUR PURPOSE Your main purpose is only achieved when you grow. One of your core purposes is the GROWTH itself. Yes you can bear fruit. Yes you can give shade. Yes you can clear the air. But none of this is achieved unless you grow. Your growth is important. \"You will always grow through – what you go through.\" - Tyrese Gibson WWW.SARAHSUYOM.COM

Metaphor of the Tree 2 YOU CAN ONLY GO AS HIGH AS THE DEPTH YOU'VE GONE DOWN The height that your branches reach can only ever grow in proportion to how deep your roots grow. Growth happens both directions, equally. Not one. The work you do with yourself within will truly show outside. Foundational work within, is detrimental to the success you get outside. \"A successful man is one who can lay a firm foundation with the bricks that other throw at him.\" - David Brinkley WWW.SARAHSUYOM.COM

Metaphor of the Tree 3 YOU HAVE TO CHOOSE TO LIVE. Even if you feel like you didn’t have control over where you were planted. You still have the choice whether you “let yourself die” whether you will “survive” or more importantly whether you will “thrive”. You make do with what you got. Nature has a fascinating way of planting trees where they naturally will thrive. If we think about it, you are exactly where you’re meant to be and you have everything you need to thrive. You yourself, are part of nature. Trust yourself, your skills and interests, and trust the universe and it's sustenance. Trust your higher self and the Divine. \"Your life is yours to live as you choose.\" - Cassandra Clare WWW.SARAHSUYOM.COM

Metaphor of the Tree 4 THE LAW OF EQUAL VALUE EXCHANGE. The more you give the more you receive. When a tree gives (oxygen) it serves others. And when it receives (CO2) it is served by others. And the healthier and the more exchange that happens, the more growth and sustainability there is for both parties involved. It is okay to take. There is a healthy codependency in relationships, in businesses and in life. Some may “Idolise” people who “always gives and never takes” but this is not the natural law of the earth - and it will NOT be sustainable. WWW.SARAHSUYOM.COM

Metaphor of the Tree 4 THE LAW OF EQUAL VALUE EXCHANGE. Play with the idea that it is okay to receive equal value exchange of your time, effort, energy, skills, etc. Feel worthy to receive, equally, time, attention, money, love, etc and you will see that there is growth in this, and not a short term affair. Imagine a tree that NEVER TAKES - doesn’t drink water, doesn’t absorb CO2, doesn’t receive from the sun. Give it a few weeks, and surely it dies - along with its ability to give you fruits, shades and fresh air. “He who serves the most, reaps the most.” - Jim Rohn WWW.SARAHSUYOM.COM

Metaphor of the Tree 5 THE HARD WORK USUALLY IS NOT VISIBLE. People only see the growth on top of the ground. When others look at someone successful, they often focus on the peak of the person’s success. “Look at how tall and mighty this tree is”. They don’t see the digging that happens underneath, the ‘dirty’ tiresome groundwork that is part of the process. Don’t let this discourage you. If you’re feeling like you’re putting all the hard work in and working smart, you will harvest, in your own time, what you sow. Do not compare. \"Don't measure your progress using someone else's ruler.\" Brian Dyson WWW.SARAHSUYOM.COM

Metaphor of the Tree 6 NO TREE IS EVER ALIKE. Trees are unique. And so are you. It’s barks and trunks are as unique as your fingerprints. I have not seen a tree that is not “naturally beautiful” because we don’t have a list of standards on how a tree should look like. So why do we put that upon ourselves? Why do we compare our looks and our qualities to other people? When all we want is to thrive and have harmony. Trees in rainforests understand that they are in an ecosystem with other unique living organisms with different functionality, contributing to each other’s lives. \"The 'imperfections' of a tree don't take away from its beauty or function. They tell a story, they helped the tree survive and grow, they are an important part of that tree. \"Embrace that gift that you are perfectly imperfect\" - Sarah Suyom WWW.SARAHSUYOM.COM

Metaphor of the Tree 7 JUST LIKE TREES, THE SEASON DICTATES \"THE BEAUTY\" WE PROJECT INTO THE WORLD. There are different seasons in a tree’s life. A tree in winter looks extremely different than the same tree during spring. Winter puts it to test. And brings about its strength. Spring allows this strength to give way to its fruits. Autumn shows that even when it “looks” like the leaves are dying and falling, there’s still too much beauty to appreciate. Summer is just summer. Never judge a tree based on the season you got to witness it. \"When we stop judging others and ourselves, our heart begins to open.\" Swami Dhyan Giten WWW.SARAHSUYOM.COM

Metaphor of the Tree 8 HEALTHY RELATIONSHIPS COME FROM HEALTHY TREES When you enter a relationship, think of you and your partner like two individual trees. You continue to grow individually, but you may choose to grow together by intertwining your branches and roots closely together. One tree doesn’t expect the other tree’s roots to give it water, or the other tree’s leaves to give it some sun. It is important to keep your individuality and independence, in all forms of relationship, and establish a healthy interdependence between you and your partner. \"Our love is sharpened by the stone of our challenges and strengthened by the struggles of our growth.\" Steve Maraboli WWW.SARAHSUYOM.COM

Metaphor of the Tree 9 TREES HAVE LAYERS Trees shed its bark as it grows. It has many layers to it. And change is part of its natural course. Like you, you will take on many different identities and roles in this lifetime. You are not defined by these roles and identities. You will constantly be growing and changing. Be okay to shed your bark. Be okay to let go, for only then can you embody more growth. \"There is only one corner of the universe you can be certain of improving, and that's your own self.\" - Aldous Huxley WWW.SARAHSUYOM.COM

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