"A tree is a poem that Earth writes upon the sky". ~Khalil Gibran
Every morning I realise this truth when I sit in the company of trees and plants in my garden. I see the sunlight playing hide and seek through the leaves and branches, the chirping birds hopping from one to another as the morning breeze hugs my heart with joy.
Growing up, I remember our 'Nature study' class. We visited places with our teachers to learn about different types of trees, their names and characteristics, the different shapes of flowers, leaves and fruits. Even about those caterpillars and which leaves they preferred to chew on for their transformation to feeding on flowers. That beautiful training taught us to love and care for nature and created a sense of connection to something beyond the self and other humans.
Sadly, today’s children growing up in a concrete jungles do not get much of an opportunity to establish this loving bond with nature. They're more comfortable in an air conditioned room connecting with smart phones and hi-tech gadgets. Being alienated from nature, they learn to believe that land, water, air and life beyond walls are commodities for the use of human beings. The truth is that the most essential life form on this planet are trees. Without which, there would be no possibility of human or animal existence. They are the lungs if not the beating heart of the earth, constantly purifying the air, supporting the creation of oxygen and the purifying cycle desalination through water vapor and prep precipitation giving us the fresh water to drink and air we can breathe.They nourish us with fruits, flowers and shade. Bring rain to cool down parched earth, and give shelter to so many species of life, innumerable birds, insects and tired travelers. All these are done, without any expectations or a price tag - an absolutely unthinkable idea in today’s world. If we were to calculate the economic value of trees vs humans, there would be no contest.
Modern man with arrogance and selfishness has brought so much of misery in the whole world. The time has come to think over it deeply. This is the time of year where we take a moment to ponder and make resolves to do better. May we learn some eternal values to be happy and to make others happy. Nature can teach us to be tolerant, kind and also to be connected with all life. As trees always adjust with the seasons, we also must learn to be flexible and adjusting to situations. And finally, as trees give and sustain life by giving its fruits to all without any expectations, we also must learn and apply this quality in life, to make life happy and blessed for all. Life can shine, if we remember the famous saying, “Life is to give, not to take".
Trees make the soil they stand on stronger, and many, like Banyan trees are connected with each other through roots under the soil. Learning from nature, we also can be aware of this basic truth of life. That what happens to any of us happens to all of us. Today the whole world is going through much turmoil. The time has come, that we realise our connectivity, and respect every form of life on earth, and make it a better world for all. May the next circle around the sun be a happier one. Happy and blessed new year to all.
