Do Not Look at the Tree?
Navigating life’s challenges is always difficult. ”Do not look at the tree🌲 but you looked at the tree right. This is the conversation I had with a friend on the beach. Skiers and people in Canada know about looking at the ditch, the tree, or in some cases hurdles obstacles, and pylons. Our conversation turned to trauma, past relationships, and how to deal with them. We all deal with broken hearts, job loss, and loss in general. It could be a spouse, a family pet, or a job. Each one leaves a little scar on the precious grey matter between our ears.
About That Tree.
Let’s pretend we are driving on a wide-open salt flat in the middle of nowhere. If we keep looking at that tree, we will drive towards that tree.
Why do you think so many light poles and electrical posts are hit by drivers? Well because that is the point of focus.
For argument’s sake, let’s say there are two trees in the middle of this salt flat and now we have 3 choices. Before we choose, let’s assume the trees are in your life today or they are problems of the past.
Now we need to keep moving so we have 3 choices. The tree on the left, the tree on the right, and the space between those trees.
The space between is the unknown, the future, and the experiences you have yet to have. The trees can be past traumas, past problems, or today’s issues. You have a choice. You can focus on them and hit one of the trees. Or you can navigate between them and move past them.
The Point Is.
You need to deal with the problems and once you drive past the problems you are in the clear. There will be other trees, many other problems and yes, we will all encounter the tree. However, how about if we look at the tree as a hurdle or a pylon? Most problems are hurdles or pylons we can move, shift, and navigate around.
So, the next time you fear the past and find yourself heading to the tree, turn it into a hurdle, a pylon, or realize that it is the past and you have already dealt with it many times so drive right past it.
You will never forget the tree or the trauma but as you drive further and further away the less significant it will become in your life.
