In farming, wounds are part of life. When a tree is pruned, branches are cut, and sap oozes from fresh wounds. Yet, over time, the tree recovers, grows new branches, and becomes stronger. Life works the same way. We face pain, loss, and setbacks, but healing is always possible if we trust in our ability to grow beyond the wounds.
Lesson 1: Healing Begins from Within: When a tree is cut, it doesn’t rely on the outside world to repair itself. It sends sap to the wound, nourishing the damaged area until it heals. In life, healing starts from within. While support from others helps, we must cultivate inner strength and resilience to truly recover. As Rumi well said: The wound is where the light enters you. Instead of seeing wounds as permanent damage, we can view them as openings for new light, growth, and transformation. Our toughest moments can lead us to discover hidden strengths.
Lesson 2: Scars Tell a Story of Survival: A tree’s scars from past wounds are proof of its survival. They show it endured storms, harsh seasons, and pruning. In the same way, our scars tell stories of resilience. They remind us that we’ve faced challenges and emerged stronger. Let us remember that a scar means you survived the wound. Scars are not signs of weakness. They are marks of wisdom and endurance. Life may shape us differently than we imagined, but every scar adds to the unique beauty of our journey.
Lesson 3: Growth Comes from Letting Go: In autumn, trees shed their leaves without resistance, trusting that new growth will come. We, too, must learn to let go of past pain, regrets, or fears. Holding on prevents us from moving forward. No winter lasts forever; no spring skips its turn. Hal Borland. Letting go does not mean we forget what happened. It means we free ourselves from the burden of the past, creating space for renewal and new possibilities.
Trust the Process of Life: Healing takes time, just as a tree doesn’t grow new branches overnight. Trust the process, be patient, and keep nurturing yourself. One day, you’ll look back at your scars and see how far you’ve come. The best time to plant a tree was 20 years ago. The second-best time is now. Chinese Proverb. No matter how deep the wound, remember that you have the power to heal, grow, and thrive. Like a tree standing tall after every storm, you can emerge stronger and more resilient than ever before.
Salamane Yameogo
Empowering Human Potential. Serving the Many.
