We, as humans are aware of the facts that trees help us in many ways by contributing to their environment by providing oxygen, improving air quality, climate amelioration, conserving water, preserving soil, supporting wildlife, etc but do we ever ponder about the fact that we can learn from trees?
Yes, we can!
Just like the tree which takes carbondioxide, sunlight and water to make itself fruitful, in the same way we should gain all the essential things which are required to flourish and in turn provide good counsel and happiness to others.
Just like showers of rain make trees green, showers of knowledge make us evergreen.
Just like the tree has branches spread high and wide but has roots deep down the soil, in the same way we should endeavour to achieve success in all spheres of life but at the same time we should not forget our roots. We should always be humble and down-to-earth, no matter of what we achieve in life. The more deeper and stronger the roots of a tree are, the less likely it is to be destroyed. In the same manner, the deeper insight we have in our religion and moral values, the less likely we are to be corrupt. Have you ever imagined how trees remain alive even in the coldest of winters with frost on them for months on end?
They patiently wait for spring which is yet to come! This is because they know that that the days of sufferings are ephemeral as compared to the other days as every cloud has a silver lining and the days of hardships will eventually pass. This is the exact epitome of perseverance which we need to imbibe in ourselves.
Just as weeds are not liked by people and plucked out, a mannerless person is equally despised.
Just as a well nurtured plant looks good,
a person who inculcates good manners is always approved as goes the saying, “Manners maketh man”.
Abraham Lincoln once said, “Character is like a tree and reputation like a shadow. The shadow is what we think of it; the tree is the real thing.”
Just like a tree is known for its fruit, a person is known for his character or conduct.
Even the smallest of the shurbs can provide medicine required for a big disease so never belittle someone.
Life is not a bed of roses because wherever there are roses, there are thorns.
Be good to people even if they are harsh towards you as the sandalwood tree gives perfume to the axe that chops it down. Be like the flower that gives its fragrance even to the hand that crushes it. As Allah(SWT) says in the Quran:
وَلَا تَسْتَوِى الْحَسَنَةُ وَلَا السَّيِّئَةُ ۚ ادْفَعْ بِالَّتِى هِىَ أَحْسَنُ فَإِذَا الَّذِى بَيْنَكَ وَبَيْنَهُۥ عَدٰوَةٌ كَأَنَّهُۥ وَلِىٌّ حَمِيمٌ o
“And not equal are the good deed and the bad deed. Repel [evil] by that [deed] which is better; and thereupon the one whom between you and him is enmity [will become] as though he was a devoted friend.”
(Chp no 41: Verse 34)
Just like the tree provides hope to people, be a source of hope, an inspiration for others..