Your circle should want you to win. Healthy relationships are essential and are the foundation for which your roots are established. When you think of an oak tree, you are drawn to its infinite beauty and you are amazed at its’ longevity. On average, an Oak tree can live over 150 years and the reason why the oak tree is able to maintain life over centuries is because of its’’ roots. Compared to similar trees, for instance, the pine tree averages approximately 100 years in age. The oak tree is grounded by its’ intricate root system, which innately focuses on underground development before any above-ground development can be detected. Focusing on the foundation is the reason an Oak’s roots can total hundreds of miles. This is why the oak tree is so sturdy and can stand the test of time even though the harsh elements on earth.
Us humans could stand to learn from the oak tree. For instance, instead of using the word root replace it with the word foundation. When we take the time to build our foundation, (and this applies to every aspect of one’s life), by placing our focus on building healthy habits, seeking the help of others, leaning on those who are closest to you, those who hold you accountable, those who uplift you when you need it the most, those who promote you, even when there is nothing to gain, when the fruit of your labor sprouts it is those who have helped you achieve your desired goals who you should hold close to your heart.
Our current economic environment has caused some of us to re-evaluate our foundation. With all that has occurred, there is still a lot of ambiguity as to what our future will look like. Yet in still, we must put on our brave faces and march on. In times like these, still moments, or very rare moments like these where we have an opportunity to self-evaluate our foundation and forge a new path. Removing things/ideas or even people that no longer serve a purpose in our foundation for reaching our highest potential, is essential. More so, classifying your friendships, by not tearing down those who are not able to journey with, but placing them in a bucket of friendship, nothing more nothing less, i.e. you get what you give. Take this rare moment in time and reflect on where you want to be in life. Then take a look around you and examine everything in your life to see how it is helping you reach your goals, this could be your car, house, wardrobe, electronics, family members and friends. If these things or people do not add value to your life in some shape or fashion, then shift your efforts to those things and people who help you, hold you accountable, give you a good word, cheer you on in the process, and work as an asset and not a liability; for they are the ones that deserve to walk with you. Eliminate those who cast a shadow over the limb that has peeled from the ground. More work to be done, but a greater reward to be reaped.
To do the same thing over and over and expect a different outcome…. well that is plain insanity.
