Flexibility

Flexibilty

"May we never be so straight that we cannot bend;
May we never be so unapproachable that children
Cannot climb up into our lower branches."
    ____ Caitlin Matthews, "Avebury Easter"

  Wherever we have set our roots, there will we grow. The ability to be flexible and adaptable to different growing conditions determines the nature of our development. Learning to change and adapt with each new circumstance is a human gift that we share with all life. Evolution itself shows us that those species that cannot change die out. Opinions and attitudes can become like carapaces that harden about our shoulders, bringing rigidity to our life-flow. Rigidity of opinion causes us to become unapproachable, which may increase our sense of isolation or confirm us in our self-contented stasis. We begin to lose opportunities to exchange views, to receive love, to find other sources of nurture. It takes courage to allow children to swarm in our branches, to allow the questions and opinions of those younger than ourselves to bend our trunks in their fresh breeze. The beauty of the many-leveled generations alive at one time allows us great opportunities to practice our flexibility and share our wisdom.

"Visualize what kind of tree you are. Check on how vital your root system is; assess the flexibility of your trunk, the reach of your branches. What opportunities for change and adaptability are available and needed by you at this time?"
[From: "The Celtic Spirit" by Caitlin Matthews]

The image I placed here with this entry - the picture of the willow tree - represents the choice of tree I see for myself.  Maybe I can be too flexible, don't know, but I do see myself always ready to 'bend' to the new ideas of the younger generations.
S.