Acorns and Oak Trees

100 year old oak that is lifting the foundation of my house

It’s that time of year again for which I am so grateful…it is FALL! And though I miss so much the change of colors on the trees that northern climes enjoy, still the cooling of the air is welcome. Here in Winter Garden, Florida, the crunch under

foot is not that of fallen leaves but rather of fallen acorns. Jack the Dog loves to eat them as we stroll the sidewalks close to home.

As I think about the tiny acorn that, under the right conditions, grows into a mighty oak tree, I’m reminded of the potential that lies within each one of us. We each begin our lives smaller than that acorn within our mother’s nurturing womb, an enormous potential pulsating in those early cells. Not much later, we emerge into the bright and noisy world and begin our own journey into greatness. Our choices and actions take us there.

The acorn germinates underground in the dark. The conditions of heat from the sun, water from rain and avoidance of squirrels digging up the acorn contribute to it’s success. In the same way, just as the tiny oak tree, we must feed and nourish our inner selves, our souls with the nutrients we need to become our very best spiritual beings.  And those “nutrients” are constant contact with God through prayer and meditation. Choosing thoughts and activities that are in our highest and greatest good and walking away from people, places and things that will not contribute to our growth. Our roots will dig deep into the earth offering us strength and stability.

Just as the tiniest acorn becomes a mighty oak tree through years of nourishment, it may still endure storms, drought, pestilence and blight.  We have the same opportunity to become our brightest and most brilliant selves through life’s hardships yet we may still enjoy coasting on the gentle breezes of ease.

Our experiences can bring us wisdom, if we allow it, and then we can shelter smaller beings, teaching them, inspiring them, modeling for them, walking beside them as they grow toward their own greatness.

We are already brilliant beings, let's live like it!!!

https://youtu.be/CS2toXyZAy0

Copy and paste this link to an 8 month time-elapse of acorn germinating underground