A couple of times a week I pass this tree… It always makes me think about people; our struggles and how we react to them. It makes me think about how we all get knocked down but even more importantly what we do when we get knocked down!

Think about your life for a minute…

Do you get knocked down? Do you ever struggle or do things that seem to not work out?

Now…. the real question is how do you react and deal with getting knocked down?

This is the tree…

I often wonder what happened and I may never know, but do I really need to know! Maybe nothing did ever happen, maybe this is just the way it grew, maybe this is just how it is. But the others on this street are not the same!

We all have our perspective that we use to form conclusions about what is in front of us, it is the filter we see the world through. Based on our past experiences and what we have been taught, there is a layer deep inside of us that dictates our perceptions and shapes our perspectives.

Soo… here is my perspective on this little tree. This is what I see!!!

I see strength, purpose, and perseverance.

I imagine that early on this tree was faced with difficulties, just as all of us are. I imagine that this tree was pushed over and did not grow sideways by choice. Most likely it was pushed by some external force, something it had no control over, a storm, a kid being silly, an angry adult…

No matter what circumstances led to this crookedness of this tree, it remained true to it’s purpose and was able to persevere! No matter the adversity it faced the purpose to grow upright, strong and tall, to reach towards the sky, outweighed any adversity that it faced.

People are much the same. We face adversity, many times adversity that is out of our control. But I encourage you to ask yourself if it is really out of your control? The adversity you face may not be something within your power to change immediately but you can always choose your attitude and how you will react to that adversity!

You can learn from nature and it’s laws, it’s unwavering consistency. Like this tree that has a definite purpose, you can find your purpose, and then grow towards being the best you each day.

This little tree did not make this change overnight, it has taken years to grow strong and tall, to change and become what it is today. If you had seen the tree early on you would have seen it leaning over and from my perspective having a difficult time.

However, you can see this tree today and be reassured that over time it has changed it’s course and that it knows nothing but fulfilling it’s purpose.

Only through our physical observation can we make assumptions that this tree may have had difficulties early on, but remove your sense of sight and you would not even notice it. It is my perspective that makes me believe it may have had difficulties, that makes me see it as different than the other trees around it! But, it is my choice if I want to see the difficulty it has faced or see the strength it has shown, or the ability for it to not let anything keep it from fulfilling it’s purpose, or the ability to persevere in the face of difficult odds!

The process of changing can be slow and difficult at times. It can be accomplished and you can fulfill your purpose and achieve amazing things if you really want to…

The challenges in life, the times we get knocked down, the mistakes and missteps we all have do not dictate who you are. They are but a moment, they do not define who you are…

True definition of character is best shown in the aftermath of struggle and adversity. It is the reaction, the strength, purpose, and perseverance we show and live by that defines our character and more importantly gives us direction!

Keep your eyes open, do not let the difficulties and adversities stop you!

Find your strength…

Find your purpose…

and persevere…