To plant a tree is to believe in tomorrow. It is to think beyond yourself. We sit in the shade of the trees planted by those who came before us.
How do I express my freedom?
I plant trees.
As Author Nelson Henderson said,
“The true meaning of life is to plant trees, under whose shade you do not expect to sit.”
Little Wren
Freedom in the Trees
Since I was a girl, I loved climbing in trees. There was a sense of freedom to me even then to sit in the branches of a being much larger than I was. The forest was always a magical place to me where I would play and run around, making stews in old stumps with my sister and going on adventures with my friends, like looking for salamanders under rocks or creek stomping.
The things which plant themselves into our hearts when we are children are part of our remembrance of freedom that we carry as adults. To me, the act of now planting trees carries on my childlike spirit and acts as a gift to the next generation.
Planting a Paw Paw tree
It is my act of service, gratitude, worship
In a world with so much strife and conflict, I am privileged to be able to consider and prioritize planting trees. There is not a war outside my back door or in my home. My family and I are healthy. To celebrate this, I plant trees.
As one of my signs of freedom of action, I plant trees that will bear fruits and nuts, shade, leaves and roots and bark for medicine, etc in the future. I imagine a human after I am dead finding the trees I planted and enjoying them. My act of freedom has become someone else's bright moment and perhaps wood for a tool or life saving medicine.
To me, it is one of the biggest signs of hope for a brighter tomorrow.
As the saying goes, the best time to plant a tree was 20 years ago, the second best time is Now.
Ini planting a Chinese Chestnut tree
Simple expression of Freedom
With all of my privilege, the wisdom that has been passed onto me, the things I have seen, and with my able body, I choose to express my freedom by digging a hole into the earth, sticking a young tree into it and putting the soil back over it.
Sometimes the simplest acts speak of the most freedom.
My mom @birdsinparadise & Ini after planting a plum tree this fall
And of course there is the added benefit of planting trees for one gets to eat of and share their fruit while they are alive!!
When I am among the trees,
especially the willows and the honey locust,
equally the beech, the oaks, and the pines,
they give off such hints of gladness.
I would almost say that they save me, and daily.
I am so distant from the hope of myself,
in which I have goodness, and discernment,
and never hurry through the world
but walk slowly, and bow often.
Around me the trees stir in their leaves
and call out, “Stay awhile.”
The light flows from their branches.
And they call again, “It’s simple,”
they say, “and you, too, have come
into the world to do this, to go easy,
to be filled with light, and to shine.”
~ Mary Oliver When I am among trees
This is a beautiful post. I especially like your point about
That is so profound, and so true!! <3
My professor of biology had a sign in his class room that had a quote " have you thanked a tree today" . What I remember most about his class was when he asked the student if we ever saw a tree crush a rock. I was hook on horticulture ever since. Also much love for the paw paw a over looked fruit because it will not ship to stores very well.
thanks for your comment! so happy you commented about the paw paw (yes too bad it never got popular because of the shipping/storage issue)!! i love that you became hooked on horticulture! trees are special indeed <3
We are growing/planting some moringa trees and one of the sprouted avocado seeds is also about to go into the garden. Exciting and liberating indeed to be surrounded by so many trees.
Wonderful post @mountainjewel! :)
thank you.
This is so beautiful. I love your quote "the true meaning of life is to plant trees, under whose shade you do not expect to sit". I like to believe most of what we do in life is for this same reason. Wonderful post! Keep planting!
this is beautiful! thank you for living such an authentic, purposeful life 💚
Thank you for participating in #FreedomChallenge!
Yay for more trees! I share the sentiment of planting for anyone past or future to enjoy, not for ourselves. I love the quotes you shared :)
What a great entry 💖i share your sentiment and feel part of my life mission is to plant many trees. I too loved your quotes, the last poem being my favourite. But, it was also nice to enjoy your photos of loved ones and trees and planting.
Wishing you all the best on your entry 🌳
Wonderful post Wren. One of the most important things I am looking for in our land is to have trees and to plant trees for future generations. Our province had large areas that have been filled with eucalyptus for paper. We hope to do our bit to bring back native trees wherever we can.
A very beautiful expression of freedom. I love trees myself. The silent watchers of the earth. Without them there would be no life.
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TrufflePigA wonderful post, it resonates so much. Lovely times, I can't wait to plant. Thanks 💯🐒
This is very beautiful you two, you both have such big open hearts, keep doing what you are doing. much love xx
Heya @mountainjewel! Love your post with all of the quotes and focus on planting trees. The best time to plant is 20 years ago, indeed. Those trees will carry your spirit far into the future. That is such a cool perspective which is new to me. You said this, which really resonated with me:
Can't wait to see your progress over the years! Do you get your trees from the Missouri Conservation Department?
OH, I love climbing trees still!!
Have you seen the little pods you can be buried in, and they put a seed or a sapling at the top so you can nourish a tree after you die? I'm such a. Fan.
Oh, I am so happy to find one more tree planter among us! I have been planting trees as long as I remember. And most of them I plant on my birthdays! I believe that if I do it and my friends usually gather and participate in it all across the world it gives my birth a meaning - the one I wanted it to have%)) And it also gives HOPE that there will be enough oxygen for people to breath in the future!
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