Lessons of the Standing People

by Paddy Orr

There is a poplar tree in my front yard that seems to be shedding something, either leaves, seed pods, or blossoms, at least nine months out of the year. Since I am becoming very tired of cleaning up after this tree, I thought I would see if there are any lessons this tree has to teach me. - P.O.

Although I welcomed you to my section of the world about twelve years ago, linear time, I will repeat myself and tell you how glad I am that you are here now. I am thrilled to have the opportunity to speak with you about my life and those lessons that I have learned. By nature and genetics I was designed to produce new leaves, seed pods, and flowers during the year, dropping the old as the new began. Instead of lamenting the problems that this shedding may have caused, perhaps we can refocus on my activities to see the parallels that may exist with your life. Listen, my neighbor, with open heart, and let's share for a while some of the beautiful things that life has to offer.

Notice how I have large limbs on the upper side of my trunk yet have smaller, numerous ones from the ground up. Often I have heard you say that the smaller ones needed pruning so that I will look better. Well, looks are not nearly as important as attitude, now, are they! Those lesser limbs are actually the ones that move in the gentle breezes allowing me to express myself. We all need to access the laughter in our souls so we can share the universal joys of life. Without these limbs, I would seem to appear stoic and simply uncaring. Such is not the case. I can roar with delight, shaking my smaller limbs with all jubilation possible, causing the leaves to mimic the chuckle of a happy person's midriff moving from side to side. Really, now, how you would miss hearing this. As these leaves rustle, laughter is passed through the forest, captured in the wind, and passed on to other places that need joy so much. Laughter is actually a wonderful form of sharing all that is good and delightful with yourself.

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