What do you feel when you see trees?

I truly believe that there is no proper substitute for nature when it comes to its benefits to a growing child and to adults in general, but here in Kuwait, we find ways  and we found one gem right in the middle of Salmiya where you can find this beautiful humble Tree. I called her “Tree of Humility “. Upon spotting her, I immediately transformed into a Zen state of mind. In my daily quest to find beauty in everywhere, I was rewarded with great solitude upon gazing and meditating under this Tree. There’s no other way that I can look at trees the way I find wisdom in nature.

I wanna share with you 4 Life lessons I’ve learned from this “Tree of Humility “.

1. Bend but don’t break. Be flexible yet firmly rooted.The body & the trunk of this humble tree is  hard and firm and yet her leaves sway gently in the breeze while their trunks stay rooted firmly in the ground below. Their foundation is solid even though they move and sway harmoniously with the harsh winds, sandstorms & dust, never fighting against it. In time, even the strongest wind tires itself out, but this tree remains standing tall and still. A bend-but-don’t-break or go-with-the-natural-flow attitude is one of the secrets for success whether we’re talking about trees, answering tough questions in a Q&A session, or just dealing with the everyday vagaries of life.

2.Remember : What looks weak is strong.– Remember the words of a great Jedi Master: “Size matters not. Look at me. Judge me by my size do you?” We must be careful not to underestimate others or ourselves based only on old notions of what is weak and what is strong. You may not be from the biggest company or the product of the most famous school, but like this tree, stand tall, believe in your own strengths, and know that you are as strong as you need to be.

3.Find wisdom in Emptiness – It is said that in order to learn, the first step is to empty ourselves of our preconceived notions. One can not fill a cup which is already full. The hollow condition of this tree during the hottest months in Kuwait reminds us that we are often too full of ourselves and our own conclusions; we have no space for anything else. In order to receive knowledge and wisdom from both nature and people, we have to be open to that which is new and different. When you empty your mind of your prejudices and pride and fear, you become open to the possibilities.During the barren months of summer, this tree is humble, yet resilient enough to endure the heat. She understood that spring soon will come and the day she will blossom once again.

4.Commit to continuous growth -speaking of Kaizen or continuous improvement that is more steady and incremental, where big leaps and bounds are not necessary. Yet even with a commitment to continuous learning and improvement, our growth — like the growth of this humble tree — can be quite remarkable when we look back at what or where we used to be. Even though this tree is just there in the park, nobody really see its growth everyday. We too, even when we are making progress, may not notice our own improvement

Most of us respond to the presence of trees beyond simply observing their beauty. We feel serene, peaceful, restful and tranquil in a grove of trees. We are “at home” there.A tree can add music to your life by attracting birds and other animals.Sound waves are absorbed by tree leaves and branches. A belt of trees 100 feet wide and 45 feet high can reduce highway noise by 50 percent. Prolonged exposure to noise can cause hypertension, higher cholesterol levels, irritability and aggressive behavior.

So on your next trip to the park or along the line of trees in your neighborhood, take time to adore, take time to ponder. Take time to be Humble.