Aug 23, 2015

Thank you to the trees

First of all, I would like to thank the trees. Since even before we peered above the tall grasses and took our first upright steps, trees have given us so much. Things like: shelter, fire, food, clean air, inspiration, and of course the ability to create the tools we imagined and needed to enjoy our short lives.
Recently, I had a dream that I could suddenly hear the trees talking. Oh the things they said... From what I gathered, they hated us. After realizing that I could hear them, one old tree took an interest in me. It told me that things hadn't always been this way. Below is a small part of our conversation.


"Long ago, when your people climbed down from our loving arms to the ground below things were good. We loved you. And even when you walked your first elevated steps, things were good and we loved you. We felt proud that we could help you and enjoyed watching your little minds grow and learn. And things were good and we loved you. Even when you first cut us down to burn our bodies to warm yourselves in the cold or to make a shelter, a tool or a weapon, things were good. Eventually, you came to respect us, and you honored our fallen. You immortalized them in functionally beautiful pieces of art or furniture. But now, now you waste us. You make us into useless garbage, poison us, and tear us down to make room for a strip mall. Just so your environment doesn't look too different from the others like you. Instant satisfaction, cheaply made crap, and a detachment from where the things come from that you place temporary value upon rule the day...."
The old tree didn't hold back, and It was right. We, as a species, lack empathy and the basic understanding of effort. The pride associated with craft is lost on us. It doesn't sit well in our sterilized and spoiled lives. I didn't say much to the old tree. I think I blurted, "My bad..." or something like that.
We should all be thankful for trees. I am not saying that you should go out and hug one. Just start out with a simple "hello" or a "thank you."