Patience - A Parable
Tracy, Justin, and Peter enjoying life in Rajasthan
There was a brother and sister pair who came home from walking with a tree sprout that they wanted to plant and grow outside their house. They carefully planted it together and went for dinner.
Each day, they would talk with excitement to see the seedling take root – how big will it be, what fun they will have climbing the tree and swinging from it’s branches. The brother, at night would steal out into the yard to check on the seedling in his excitement. He would lift the small tree out of the soil to check to see if the roots were growing. Upon looking, he observed, “No roots yet!" and replant the seedling.
After half a month, during the talk of excitement about the mature tree, the sister said to the brother, “I bet the roots are growing well after this much time... let’s go check to see how the tree is setting!” The boy answered, “There’s no need, sister, I know there are no roots yet!”
Clearly, the roots didn't grow in the tree because the brother continued to check to see if the roots were growing, interrupting the little plant's growing process.
Today, Shivani's mother-in-law, Prem, told me this story as I shared with her about my own experience of impatience with myself. We both giggled when I realized that continuing to check to see if growth/healing has happened in oneself is actually inhibiting the process. She giggled wisely while my tone was a bit more self-judging, illustrating the point. I see this as a potent teaching for all of us as we're rushing to see results in this instant gratification culture of ours.
Sometimes it's best to be quiet - let the tea steep so the best flavor can come.
Hope you're all well,
Tracy
Comments
Tracy -- thanks for the parable! We can all learn a little patience. I hope that the roots you have all planted in India these last months can be taken with you and transplanted wherever you might all land in the future. What a wonderful journey you are all having!
Take care ---
Clary, Jim and Billy
(some of Kate's family)
Posted by: clarissa Cutler (Kate's Mom) | December 3, 2008 3:21 AM
Funny, a couple days ago I happened across an interesting bit of etymology on the words tree and true that seems applicable, somehow, to Prem's parable.
Turns out both tree and true come from the same Indo-European root, deru, or dreu, which shows up in derivatives referring to wood and, by extension, firmness.
Therefore, just as "truth may be thought of as something firm; so too can certain bonds between people, like trust, another derivative of the same root."
Or perhaps this is not applicable, but has instead more to do with my growing avocation as an arborist. I have some new ropes and climbing gear in the Berkshires and a majestic Oak that, combined, will make for some good staff teambuilding adventures.
John
Posted by: John E | December 3, 2008 4:21 PM
Your head coverings are legendary. By the way I've started watching ThunderCats via DVD, which is similarly legendary.
Posted by: Doug B. | December 4, 2008 1:24 AM