[Nikko]

A mighty wind blew night and day. It stole the oak tree's leaves away.

Then snapped it boughs and pulled its bark. Until the oak was tired and stark.

But still the oak tree held its ground. While other trees fell all around.

The weary wind gave up and spoke. How can you still be standing, Oak?

The oak tree said, I knew that you can break each branch of mine in two, carry every leaf away.

Shake my limbs and make me sway. But I have roots stretched in the earth.

Growing stronger since my birth. You'll never touch them, for you see.

They are the deepest part of me. Until today, I wasn't sure of just how much I could endure.

But now I've found with thanks to you. I'm stronger than I ever knew.

Nikko

[Nikko]

I meant to say, that this is from a card I received.

It doesn't say who wrote it though.


Nikko

[bizi]

Great Poem!!!!
thanks for sharing...you are this oak~!
bizi

[highhatsize]

Dear Nikko,

The willow which bends to the tempest, often escapes better than the oak which resists it; and so in great calamities, it sometimes happens that light and frivolous spirits recover their elasticity and presence of mind sooner than those of a loftier character. --Albert Schweitzer

"A strong wind may destroy a sturdy tree; but the willow bends and the wind passes through."
– Gichin Funakoshi (whoever she/he is)

For every reassuring saying there is another that says just the opposite. I was not thinking particularly of the "oak" aphorism that you posted but of adages in general. Personally, I was raised to be an oak, but envy the folks who were aware from their first thought that we must incorporate "willowness" in our natures if we are to be happy.

[Mari]

Originally Posted by highhatsize

Dear Nikko,



For every reassuring saying there is another that says just the opposite. I was not thinking particularly of the "oak" aphorism that you posted but of adages in general. Personally, I was raised to be an oak, but envy the folks who were aware from their first thought that we must incorporate "willowness" in our natures if we are to be happy.

Or how about the palm tree in a hurricane? Wind goes around it.
The oak - type trees break from the wind or topple because of the wet ground.

Mari

[Nikko]

I love palm trees. I am the Oak tree that broke and fell to the ground.


Nikko

[Mrs. Bear]

I want to be a little weed that grows in your grass and you can never get rid of, no matter how hard you try. I am tired of being battered and strong because I have deep roots.

I want to be tenacious and viney. And the wind can't blow me over since I am so low to the ground allready.

You are strong Nikko. Very strong. No matter what comes at you, you survive. It's time for some rest and regrowing. No more surviving, my love. It is time to conquer.