Lessons from Trees and Life

I love nature. Going to the forest, talking hikes are just but some of the activities that give me joy. The beauty of the natural world is always refreshing, and the hiking process has now become one of my favorite ways to clear my mind. And there is always some new discoveries to uncover with every visit to the forest.

Like the other day, I came across a tree known as Tinet, a creeping tree that grows very tall and relies on other trees for support. As it grows bigger, it overpowers the host that it eventually ‘strangles’ the host tree to death as it continues to thrive while wrapped around the dead tree.

An interesting phenomenon if you ask me. And when you think about it, it is one that is replicated across nature. Consider how parasites rely on their hosts to grow and remain nurtured. A relationship that is not just restricted to the animal kingdom but extends to the human race as well. We too tend to exhibit parasitic tendencies in our lives and careers without even realizing that it is happening. For example, at the beginning of our lives, we rely on our parents to support us to grow, much like the tree that relies on its host. Then as we grow and become independent, the role our parents play becomes less and less important and eventually they reach the end of life,?as we continue to live on with their blessing and possibly inheritance.

This play is also in our careers too. We tend to learn from those who went ahead of us and over time, we overtake them as they look to retire or exit the workforce leaving the younger career generation (also known as the creeper) tied tightly around the lessons learnt from them.

And have you seen plants that grow upside down, while hanging on other trees around the forest? The wonders of nature make for interesting lessons. These trees defy the conventional and still add to the beauty of the forest. A concept I liken to the ups and downs we do through during our life’s journeys. Sometimes, what may appear as a downward trend may be life’s new way of navigating you through daily challenges while creating a beautiful silhouette. I also believe these trees are there to remind us that we ought to lift others up by using the support we have received from those around us.

?While still on my journey around the forest, I came across another beautiful scene. This time, two trees had fused together, as if tightly hugging each other to create a doorway. What a beauty to behold!

I could not help but think about how this is relevant to our lives and careers. There will always be people who come to our lives, and possibly fuse with us, to support us as we create a doorway to the next level. Have you ever thought of the people who open doors for us? The connectors? The ones who make that introductory call or write that introductory email? The ones who provide bridges for us to cross to the other side?

Take a moment to think about them today, and if you are able to call and / or write to them, please do and just say thank you.

And finally, I cannot close this article without a mention of my favorite fruit, bananas.

We have a saying in my culture that says: ‘makiumen sasur yeomen?Iyep’. translated as ‘Do not shelter on a wild banana tree when it is raining and cut it when the rain stops.’ Our elders understood the value of protecting trees. Like we had so many trees in my day that we even had wild bananas growing everywhere. Today, the situation is different as deforestation became rampant.

Can we draw any career lessons from this? Of course we can! Just like a tree that provides shelter during the rains, we too have those great managers that have supported our careers through the thick of it all. We also have mentors that have guided us, teachers that instilled those critical skills in us and colleagues that held us together when we were falling apart. They are our trees. We ought to keep them close and not let ‘deforestation’ take away the bonds that have been created.

How often do you remember those people who helped shape your career?

There is much to learn from the forest and much more, from the people around us.

PS: Did you know that the natural method used to harvest honey in the forest is using a certain moss plant?

This plant produces smoke that makes the bees docile and with that the honey can be harvested with ease.

Interesting, right!

There is a lot of information out there. We just need to be alert and open to take in the many lessons from nature.

Is there anything you can share from your encounter with nature?

I would like to hear from you.