Mindful Miles

Exactly a month ago, as I set out on a walk to honour the memory of a loved one, I experienced something that resonated deeply, reminding me of life’s profound lessons often hidden in plain sight.

Along a familiar stretch of path, I caught an astonishing sight. To my left, a tree stood in its glorious prime, fully blossomed, bursting with vibrant leaves and the promise of summer. It was a picture of vitality, abundance, and effortless grace. Then, right across the path, to my right, stood another tree. It was utterly bare, its branches stark against the sky, bearing the appearance of something completely withered. The contrast was mind-blowing. It wasn’t just two trees; it was two extreme states of being, side-by-side.

And as I stood there, rooted to the spot, the lessons began to unfold. Life, I realised, is precisely this path. We are constantly navigating between our own moments of being fully blossomed and times when we feel stripped bare. The beautiful truth is that the “withered” tree isn’t necessarily dead; it’s often in a state of dormancy, of vital preparation, or deep rest. It’s shedding what no longer serves it, quietly strengthening its roots, gathering energy for a future bloom that only time will reveal. This teaches us that not all growth is visible, and the periods of quiet or struggle are just as crucial, just as productive, as the outwardly vibrant ones.

This powerful visual also served as a reminder of life’s inherent duality. Joy and sorrow, abundance and scarcity, flourishing and challenge – they often coexist. Just as these two trees stood side-by-side without judgment, so too can we learn to accept the varied seasons within our own lives. To embrace the full spectrum of our experience, finding meaning and resilience in every phase.

Perhaps most profoundly, it highlighted the futility of comparison. These two trees existed on their own timelines, in their own unique seasons. My path was simply to observe them both. In our own lives, it’s so easy to look at someone else’s “blossomed” moment and feel discouraged by our own “withered” period. But each of us is on our own distinct journey, experiencing our own unique cycles.

My curiousity, sparked by its striking appearance, led me to discover that the seemingly withered tree was, in fact, a magnificient Bald Cypress, known for its incredible longetivity, often thriving for over 200 years. The strength of the seemingly bare tree lies in its unseen, unwavering commitment to its own process, promising future renewal.

So, as I continued my mindful miles, each step became a testament to this understanding. To move with self-care is to acknowledge all our seasons – to love ourselves when we’re in full bloom, and to nurture ourselves patiently when we feel bare, trusting in the inevitable cycle of growth and renewal.