Resistances are Graces

Fr. Vincent Pizzuto, the author of Contemplating Christ: The Gospels of the Interior Life, shared the story of a monk who visited an indoor Arboretum and saw a massive tree chained to the floor. The monk asked the docent why such a beautiful tree was chained. His response was, that because the tree had been isolated from natural resistances, given its height and weight, it would topple over if unconstrained.

Natural Resistances or “inherent defenses” refer to an organism’s natural capacity to protect itself against harmful agents or circumstances. So then, what natural resistances did the tree growing indoors miss out on that led to its confinement?

Among the various natural resistances crucial to trees, I will focus on just a couple for discussion. First, there’s wind which keeps them constantly moving. Wind resistance activity causes stress in the load-bearing structure of the tree; branches, trunk, and roots. Those trees will grow stress wood with a distinct structure that helps position the tree for its benefit. Yes, wind can uproot trees, but the more wind trees survive, the deeper the roots and the more stress the tree can withstand. In life, we continually experience the winds of change and we have to become adaptable to survive and thrive.

Then there’s fire, a natural part of the life cycle of trees in fire-prone areas. Trees grown in fire-prone areas develop thicker bark to withstand low-intensity surface fire. Certain trees shed their lower branches as a natural defense against fire spreading upward. Some hard cone trees need fire to melt their resin to open and release seeds to be carried by the wind. Yes, the fires of life can be destructive, but new growth can come, from endings come new beginnings, and enlightenment through fire burns away illusions and can be the catalyst needed for change.

The outer appearance of the indoor-grown tree was misleading. It was beautiful. It was massive. It was awe-inspiring. However, it was weak, dysfunctional, and occupied an unnatural space for its natural design.

“Our suffering is the key to personal growth and awakening.” ~Karo Wanner

We, like trees, gain strength and resilience from life’s adversities, just as they rely on natural resistances for grounding, deep roots, and thriving. Here are some strategies to cultivate resilience.

• See adversity as graces for growth and overcoming. I refer to adversity as manure; the stuff that helps me grow.

• Spend time in quiet embracing, acknowledging, and processing your emotions instead of fighting against them. Ask yourself, “What do I do with this?” “What am I to surrender?” “Is there a lesson for me to learn?”

• Keep in mind, that you are more than the experience. You’re more than the loss, more than the wrong decision, more than the health complication, more than the rejection. Know from where and in what you find meaning in life.

• Maintain mastery over “imposter syndrome.” We should learn from the “GREATS” but never desire to be them.

• Be faithful to your gifts, talents, and skills, confident that they will open doors for you and seat you at the tables you are to occupy.

• Know what makes you tick and what is your Achilles heel. Honesty is key.

I’ll leave you with another beautiful nugget from Karo Wanner. “As much as our planet needs the ocean currents, we need the ups and downs in life to take in all the human experience has to offer.”

Always encouraging reflection,

WandaP

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