"Sadness gives depth. Happiness gives height. Sadness gives roots. Happiness gives branches. Happiness is like a tree going into the sky, and sadness is like the roots going down into the womb of the earth. Both are needed, and the higher a tree goes, the deeper it goes, simultaneously. The bigger the tree, the bigger will be its roots. In fact, it is always in proportion. That’s its balance.”
Osho
The thought that there is some sort of balance within life is always a comforting thought for me. This idea can be represented in so many different ways - the turning of the seasons; the fact that night will follow day; and I am sure there are oh so many more.
But I like this one about trees too. Partly because I am always in awe of the root system a tree has; and I love the proportions of it all, how what we see above the surface is so perfectly balanced and counterweighted by what lies below. It's just the loveliest notion. And when I think to apply it to life, it helps. It helps to be reminded that for the tough times, there may be equally good times; and that for the joy, that there will be some sadness.
I like my life when things are in balance. When life feels a like a strongly rooted tree, reaching into the shiny sky and welcoming the day.
Osho
The thought that there is some sort of balance within life is always a comforting thought for me. This idea can be represented in so many different ways - the turning of the seasons; the fact that night will follow day; and I am sure there are oh so many more.
But I like this one about trees too. Partly because I am always in awe of the root system a tree has; and I love the proportions of it all, how what we see above the surface is so perfectly balanced and counterweighted by what lies below. It's just the loveliest notion. And when I think to apply it to life, it helps. It helps to be reminded that for the tough times, there may be equally good times; and that for the joy, that there will be some sadness.
I like my life when things are in balance. When life feels a like a strongly rooted tree, reaching into the shiny sky and welcoming the day.
It's that time again when Jennifer and Julie are searching for the rainbow, and this month we're up to green. Pop on over to see what other greens folk have discovered and join in the fun.
Hi Fiona- I love the quote that you are pondering this week...the use of the tree image to describe how life is a give and take that balances itself...really beautiful! Thanks for playing along...despite Jennifer and my late start.
ReplyDeleteThanks Julie - it may not be totally perfect; but the notion/analogy works well I think!
DeleteWhat an interesting way of considering the relationship between happiness & sadness. These words will certainly give me something new to think about the next time I am sitting under a tree... And the trees in your photo are magnificent!
ReplyDeleteIt's always worth pondering how trees do what they do Lisa! I love the notion of what lies beneath and supports it; and that in order to go up something must go down as well...
DeleteI think you posted this one for me this week - thank you. Really nourishing before my very sad day tomorrow and the quote is so right .... sadness and joy really belong together. Without the deep joys we feel we would not be feeling deep sadness and visa versa. The bigger the tree, the bigger the roots - the analogy works for so many emotions. x
ReplyDeleteLike night and day somehow Susan - but so hard to remember when you're in the night...been thinking of you.
DeleteWhen I was young & I held a vision like Osho's of trees having a deep tap root as long as the tree is tall in an "as above, so below" mirroring and maybe they do that in other lands but here in Australia we have a very thin and fragile layer of topsoil so most trees don't send their roots down very far at all most of the feeder roots only go down to about a metre out to the drip line of the tree. I first witnessed this during a long rainy season when I was living out in the bush near Nimbin in Northern NSW when I heard this almighty crash as the big old 100 year old Morton Bay Fig that shaded the old dairy slid off the edge of the slope down into the gully! This was in an area that had been cleared of rainforest for grazing back in the 30's after the cedar cutters had been through and should never have been cleared as it was too steep but then again it is very hard for humans to actually live in a rainforest as there's no sun (tried that for a few months, it was very damp, all my books aged very quickly)!
ReplyDeleteThanks Mo - of course we'd be different! I was also thinking about watering plants and always watering to where they spread their limbs to, as the roots go that wide - so depth and width were in my mind; and maybe the width thing isn't all true either! It is amazing to think that trees the size of the Moreton Bay Fig only have roots so deep - they are so majestic. Maleny is humid enough - I'm sure a rainforest would be no good for me or my books either! Go well.
DeleteI like and agree with everything written and easily love your photo. I live near the redwoods and delight in their beauty and depth...we are trees!
ReplyDeleteTrees are just such wonderful things aren't they? Those redwoods would be staggering I am sure - I enjoy pondering upon the majesty of them all...go well.
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