Sometimes ancient proverbs seem like they were written for today, not thousands of years ago. And this classic saying from Chinese tradition seems as relevant as ever in our fast-paced lifestyle – in which the present moment seems like the only thing that matters, and in which we often forget that even our smallest actions now can have deep reverberations in our future…
Here are a few gently branching thoughts, inspired by the idea of what it means to “plant a tree” in modern life:
Mindfulness – everything we “plant” today will grow eventually. When we are aware of how our actions deepen over time, then every decision in life has meaning behind it. What we do in the present reaps long-term benefits in our future.
Enthusiasm – “the second best time to plant a tree is now.” It is never too late to start on a great idea, project, relationship or road to travel. Dwell not on the past, and not on the future, but only in what we can accomplish and begin in this moment – then, much later, we can see just how important those beginnings were.
Perseverance – trees, like humans, cannot remain here forever. However, our actions today create can lasting beauty and tangible value to our world and the people we leave it to, echoing long after our time!
Life is only a journey for us, but what we do on this journey can remain significant for all travelers to follow.
