Are you feeling distracted and unsettled, unsure of where to put your energy and your time? There are so many ways to live, so many things we can do. How do we decide? Today’s story answers that question. And, a bonus message for when you’re feeling less than perfect.
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6:30am on a windy July morning. My feet were enjoying the coolness of the grass and I stood facing the sun, drinking warm water with lemon, giving thanks for my upcoming day. Our cat was back from her nightly wanderings and was relaxing on the stoop.
Finishing the water, I sat on the hard, concrete steps and opened my scriptures. After reading, I prayed and felt prompted to talk with our oak tree.
Moving to the tree, I calmly sat cross-legged and leaned against it. I expressed my desire to talk with it, to share its story with the world, if it was willing to do so. The tree rewarded me with this wisdom.
What do you hear in this story that is for you today?
Be who you are
The burr oak has many stories to tell. He has seen devastation, and renewal in his short life. Yet all is the same unto him. The tide comes in, and the tide goes out. All will pass away. In the meantime, the tide comes in, and the tide goes out.
Wander not from your center. Wander not from who you are. All know who they are at their core, if they simply but choose to listen and hear and heed. Follow that voice. It can never lead you astray. It is the voice of love and of goodness.
Follow who you are. The world will tell you that what you are is unimportant. This is not true, but it does not matter. Follow who you are. Bring forth the good that is you, that is crying out for expression. Seek after your own, not that of others. Let them have their own way, just as you have yours.
Peace comes when we do His will. When we choose to express what we have been given. It is that simple. What is His will for you? To be who He made you to be. How silly it would be for me, a stately oak, to try to be a squirrel! And yet this is what humans do. They try to be something they are not. Be who you are. Be nothing else. All else is failure, indeed.
What makes your heart happy? What brings you joy? Others find their way, and sing its praises. Follow not their way, but follow your own. You already know it within. Seek it, find it, express. Express. Express.
That is all.
More wisdom from nature
The stories from the trees and plants bring us back to our essence. They remind us who we are and our connection with the universe.
The monarda flowers had a similar lesson to share when I was feeling invisible as a woman. You can hear that story in Episode 34.
Perhaps you’re struggling to accept the things that bring you joy, and to be okay with who you really are.
I can relate to that. It’s taken me awhile to be comfortable with sharing the stories I gather from talking with the spirit world and with nature. If you need some encouragement, keep listening to this next story.
The joy of being imperfect
A month before the oak tree, I woke one beautiful morning in a bit of a sour mood, not wanting to water my plants and garden. My mood was centered around missing my first goal of the day — getting up before dawn.
When your goals revolve around something that only occurs once a day, and you miss it, it’s hard to wait another 24 hours for a chance to try again. I’d missed on my goal of getting up before dawn. By a lot, given that I got out of bed shortly before 8:00.
Ah well. No worries. It was also too late to make it to yoga class, the next goal I’d had for my day.
Well, it was warm and the plants were calling, so out I went.
As I watered, I prayed for the Holy Ghost to guide my thoughts. Instead of spending my time on feeling negative and down, I wanted instead to feel peace and to think of things that are uplifting.
I finished my watering, and, heading up the steps to my front door, I heard the plants in the front bed call out to me.
“Come talk to us!”
I chuckled. Okay. I knew that would lift my spirits.
After I make some breakfast, I’ll be back out, I told them.
Food made, and ready to receive their wisdom and connect with them, I took off my socks and went to stand barefoot in the front yard, facing my plants. My flower beds looked like a plant sale at the end of the season.
Snapdragons that looked half dead, with only a few that had started to flower recently since I undertook more regular watering. Daylilies that were still growing, at various rates. Dahlias, most of which didn’t even surface.
Rose bushes, native ones, newly planted just three weeks ago, looking a bit haggard, one being fed on by aphids, but also already putting forth new growth.
Pots of geraniums, purchased as companions for the roses to supposedly attract the aphids away from the roses.
All of these plants and flowers in various stages of early growth.
The rose bush spoke: “Stop belittling yourself. Be kind to yourself.”
As she continued to instruct me, I felt tears well up in my eyes from the kindness of her message, and also as I let go of the tension I’d been holding from my nonproductive thoughts.
“You weren’t meant to be perfect in a day. Look at us. Are we full grown yet? Are we blooming?”
Well, no.
“We can’t withstand all things yet, either. The winds and the rain beat against me,” said the rose bush, “and buffet me about. This is as it should be. I am still growing. You planted us for a purpose, did you not?”
“Why yes. I planted all of you for beauty. And I envision the day when you will fill this bed. Your beautiful flowers and rose hips will provide medicine.”
“Yes,” the rose bush continued. “You have a purpose too. And a gardener, just as you tend for us, who tends to you and your growth.”
I paused to consider how Heavenly Father is tending to my growth. That thought softened my heart toward myself even more.
The rose wasn’t finished, though.
“Even though we’re not done growing, do we make you happy?”
“Oh yes!” I replied. “I am happy to have you all here. I am happy with seeing you and to know what you will be as the summer wears on.”
My heart filled as I thought of the joy these plants and flowers bring to me.
“Yes. So are others happy with you, right now, just as you are. Even though you’re still growing and not fully bloomed yet,” said the wise rose bush.
I had to admit, I hadn’t really thought about it that way. But of course it was true. I am happy with my family and friends, and the good they bring to my life. And I know they are happy with the good I bring to their lives. I was so grateful for this conversation, and felt in my heart the peace I had been seeking since I woke. My eyes continued to be full of tears of gratitude and love.
Ready to go in, I sensed a large male presence come up to me on my right. He felt knightly, kingly.
He had the presence of one who knows, confidently and to the core, who he is and where he belongs. It was very comforting.
Gently, he put his hand on my right shoulder. “You are the daughter of the Most High God, of a King,” he reminded me. “Remember who you are.”
Mentally, I turned to him. “Are you of this same God?” I asked, testing him, even though he felt and seemed very good. “Yes,” he replied. “And has this God sent you to me?” Again, the same reply. “Yes.”
“Remember who you are. I have something for you.” He handed me a gift to use in the work I have been given to do. At peace, I returned inside.
You are the child of the Most High God. Remember who you are. He is not finished with you, and yet you are already perfect. You bring Him joy. You bring joy to others. Bring joy to yourself, too. Remember who you are.
Check out this story from a willow tree about the nature of God, and finding light in the darkness.
