Advice from a tree:

• Stand Tall
• Drink Plenty of Water
• Be Content with Your Natural Beauty
• Enjoy the View
• Remember Your Roots

(Ilan Shamir)

We can learn many things from observing nature, mainly because nature is God’s creation.

The very first verse in the Bible lets us know, “In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth.” Then later in the Old Testament, Job 12:7-10 tells us, “But ask the animals, and they will teach you, or the birds in the sky, and they will tell you; or speak to the earth, and it will teach, or let the fish in the sea inform you. Which of all these does not know that the hand of the LORD has done this? In His hand is the life of every creature and the breath of all mankind.” In John 1:3, we are told that through God all things were made.

Through nature, God can teach us and provide for us.

That’s one reason that I enjoy Ilan Shamir (formerly Scott Alyn) and his daughter Laurel’s reflections on nature. God’s creation can teach us many things. Trees especially are a great picture of strength, resilience, flexibility, authenticity, and beauty.

Here is Ilan’s full poem, Advice from a Tree:

Dear Friend,
Stand Tall and Proud
Sink your roots deeply into the Earth
Reflect the light of a greater source
Think long term
Go out on a limb
Remember your place among all living beings
Embrace with joy the changing seasons
For each yields its own abundance
The Energy and Birth of Spring
The Growth and Contentment of Summer
The Wisdom to let go of leaves in the Fall
The Rest and Quiet Renewal of Winter
Feel the wind and the sun
And delight in their presence
Look up at the moon that shines down upon you
And the mystery of the stars at night.
Seek nourishment from the good things in life
Simple pleasures
Earth, fresh air, light
Be content with your natural beauty
Drink plenty of water
Let your limbs sway and dance in the breezes
Be flexible
Remember your roots
Enjoy the view

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