I have already won because I will never stop: lessons from a palm tree

“I have already won because I will never stop.”

I found this on a sticky note today.  Regardless of what fear I have I will keep moving, adjust, and find joy in my present moments.  I have been through hellacious storms of betrayal, manipulation, and stood as a palm in it all. Most of the time. When I became too rigid, I broke.

Strength is not rigidity, it is flexibility and holding fast and tall in the highest winds.  

Nature is instructive and I love the lessons from a palm tree.

Resilience is having a strong core without too many branches for hurricanes to pull upon. It is storing and nurturing rich coconut oil from sun and rain sheltered deep within layers of husk not easily reached by predators. Resilience is keeping hydrated within that nurtured place to develop a milk and meat sought after by those marooned without resources. 

Resilience is sharing those seeds of nourishment and wisdom while creating new growth. Fostering the creation of seedlings that become a grove of strength on the ever-changing shoreline. Facing sunsets and sunrise, the ebb and flow of tides. Watching green turtles sunning on black lava rock and playing on the surf as it roils and tosses them beneath the salty brine.  

Resilience is patience as the tourists seek shade and the locals grip the rings to reach with sandy feet, encircling the trunk to harvest the wisdom high in the fronds.

And when it is quiet and the beach is clear, the soft sway of the palm sings in time with the wind. Only those who listen will hear its whisper.

Palm tree wisdom is not heard by those who are too busy making noise to listen. Quiet reflection in nature is rare for the modern hustlers who push to achieve success and status above other hustlers.

But the wisdom is there nevertheless. Whispered in solidarity among the tall, quiet sentients of the endless summer. 

Have you heard it?