A couple of weeks ago I came across a quote, 'Today's mighty oak is just yesterday's nut that held its ground!'
I remembered it because it made me laugh and also presents a deep and pertinent truth. It is especially relevant in today's difficult times.
It set me thinking about when you have goals, visions that take a tremendous amount of effort to achieve, that are so much bigger than your self and your meagre resources.
How energizing it is to get encouragement and affirmation! And how different from being told to be 'realistic' and let go of cherished dreams. I feel such tremendous gratitude toward those who have been great sources of strength to me over the years.
Last year I received a tiny oak tree rescued from a friend's garden. It would have been thrown away in their big clear-up, so she gave it to me.
I planted it safely in an old earthenware pot. (Yesterday's nut in a cracked pot!)
It looked so small and vulnerable, yet I can imagine gazing up at it in years to come ...
One day it will be a mighty oak!
Believe in your dreams, friends ...
... and hold your ground!
22 comments:
The truth is, the oak is already mighty, even when small. It possesses everything it needs to fulfill its dream of becoming big. And so do we! Happy Easter!
Monica, thank you! How wonderful and true. I wonder if it is the essence of the meaning of 'holding your ground'?
Happy Easter to you also!
What a really nice quote. I never thought about it this way but it's so true. I hope your new oak grows big and beautiful!
I had never heard that inspiring quote before. Lovely oak post and images. I especially like the close-up.
Thank you Catherine. I will keep my oak tree in ever-increasing pots as it grows!
Thank you Diane. I wish I could remember where I saw the quote.
It takes optimism (and a degree of youth) to imagine the oak sprout as a mighty tree! I have one of those, but not the other. At this age I have to buy 36" boxed trees and hope for the best.
Have a nice holiday!
Aiyana
Thank you for that nice encouragement. :-) I also have a tiny oak in a pot. I'm not sure what to do with it, as we have a billion (welll....) oak trees around here! ha. I'm going to assume you are not in Phoenix, AZ! ;-)
Aiyana - I have internal youth and lots of imagination!!
Hope you have a great holiday too!
Shady Gardener - We could see whose potted oak grows the quickest!
(I'm in the UK, and there are quite a lot of oak trees around here too).
Hi Phoenix C
From acorn to oak, once we get our roots down.
I've been looking at the mural for the cactus house by the way. Looks great.
Rob
Hi Rob
I've just been across and read your post again - the holm oaks in your area are such a wonderful example of 'holding your ground' - with a little help from their fungal friends!
May your roots grow strong making your venture flourish beautifully!
(Glad you like my mural - thank you!)
An acorn! I just couldn't stop thinking about Scrat and his dear acorn.
Hello Prospero - I confess I had to look on Google to find out who Scrat is! Now I'm going to have to watch the film!!
Hello, and thank you for visiting my blog and leaving a comment. I am so glad you did otherwise I wouldn't have know about your lovely blog. It's so nice that the land and nature inspire your art work. I wish you well.
maureen
Hello Maureen, and thank you for your kind comment. The land and nature have always been an inspiration to me - in art and life!
A beautifully worded and illustrated post Phoenix.
Thank you :)
Thank you Anna, I really appreciate your words!
Hi Phoenix, I enjoyed this post..the concept of perserverance and living up to your potential...something we try to teach our kids..especially my college bound daughter. Thanks for the reminder :)
Thank you Lynn - I'm glad you enjoyed the post. Best Wishes for your daughter's future at college!
Oaks are magnificent trees while carrying with them a strength and protection of negativity. May your little oak grow into a great tree.
Thank you Barbara! I hadn't really thought about the aspect of oaks protecting from negativity, but they do have that feel, don't they! There is a nobility and calm majesty about them.
Post a Comment