How trees relate to people

I have always loved trees-especially the ones that are magnificent such as the Redwoods in Northern California or the Grand Oak trees in New Orleans and the Cypress trees that grow in the water. I dare not forget the beautiful flowering trees such as the Cherry Blossom. Trees come in all shapes and sizes... What I am enamored by is a tree ability to endure so much including, hurricanes, floods, snowstorms, animals and most of all-people- we climb on them, carve on them, fight over them, build with them among some other things. Despite all of this, trees endure. They stand the test of time, have deep roots, grow tall, strong and many last hundreds of years. If trees could talk, they could teach us all lessons.

So what do trees and people have in common? People are all different, and we come in all shapes and sizes. We need different environments and nurturing to grow; just like trees, each thrives in different soil and climates. I like to look at trees as a symbol for growth both individually and organizationally. People are the branches each unique and full of character, and collectively we are a tapestry interwoven to make a magnificent organization.

Ask yourself this... -As individuals and organizations wouldn't it be amazing to be as strong and resilient as these magnificent trees? -To be able to stand strong and not fall when change comes and tries to tear us apart? -To be able to lean and bend into lessons and learn with grace instead of snapping? -To build stronger networks that reach farther than we ever thought possible, like a Redwood?

When I launched my coaching practice, I thought about my logo and what I wanted it to present- What came up, of course... a tree, not just an ordinary tree but a people tree. Why? Simply because my purpose is to assist every individual and organization to grow and perform at their best. Each person is representing a branch-unique and important to the entire tree, capable of reaching higher and brighter than ever before. Together each person is an important branch, and most importantly everyone realizing that without "each other"there is no tree.

We all have symbols to remind us what is important in our lives. Nature reminds me how important we all are intrinsically woven together- organizations, teams, communities. How we decide to grow, behave and perform is our choice.

What decision do you want to make today? Which kind of tree would you like to become?

#trees #performance