LIFE: A SOJOURN

I remember clearly how it happened. It was cloudy and the wind, as usual coming with all its might didn't pity any tree that stood in its way.

The Cashew tree at that time had never produced a fruit: it was young and still had about a year before it would become productive. After the heavy rain, we came out to find what had become of it; its roots were already above the ground. As they say, the wind has blown, the groin of the fowl has been revealed.

I looked at the cashew tree, envisioning what could have become of it if the wind hadn't given it such a great blow, and by blow I mean a very hard KO at that.

Shortly, there came people who knew and saw beyond what I could see. To me I saw a dead and failed cashew tree, to them they saw a tree that just fell and needed intervention. They understood that when a dream falls, it doesn't mean death but a temporary pause so they came up with a plan; a plan which would bring this tree back to life. 

We rallied round, put hands together, took a plank which we supported the fallen tree with. And after all was done, it stood again, continuing its life.

Few months later, the unexpected happened. The cashew tree fell again and this time we had to use another wood fetched from the closeby bush; fresh and with the potential to still grow as support for the cashew tree. Hence both the supporting wood and the cashew tree grew together.

Now the amazing thing is that for 5 years both trees have stood side by side, with the supporting tree, although dead now, still doing it's job; holding firmly to the cashew tree and fighting all terrible wind.

Seeing these trees once more alive (alive, because the supporting tree still continued its duty even in death) brought so many thoughts to me.

The initial thought is to never give up on your dreams no matter what. There will be hurdles and winds that will pose as threats, plans may fall, but never lose the will to go on. 

Also, let those who are of right mind guide you to the right path and frame of mind. To me,  I saw a dead tree, to the rest, they saw a tree who needed help and could be helped.

Furthermore, and most importantly, keep the right company and support system. Those closest to you have a high chance of determining who you will become. The first plank wasn't fit for the cashew tree because it ran with a different system, it was dead. The second was able to support the cashew tree because both were alive. And even when the tree was long dead, it still stood by the cashew tree and kept supporting it.

In life, falling should never be a reason for us to quit. But one thing we must be conscious of is knowing the kind of people we let into our lives or lean on, because as they say,  birds of the same feather flock together and they will continue to do so.