If you want to remain young, keep reaching up toward the en-light-enment and keep learning new things and just like this branch, you’ll keep growing into YOU-th.
(artist retains all rights to print reproductions of this painting)
Inspiration image: artist’s own
ORIGINAL COPY POSTED ON INSTAGRAM DURING THE CHALLENGE
One of the trees growing in our garden is knobbly, long-limbed Eucalyptus cinerea or silver dollar. Their sage-green leaves are often used in flower arrangements. I’m super lucky to have one and always use it for cuttings in our home, come pruning time.
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While trimming branches, I noticed one stem containing the full spectrum of growth – dark, brittle, leaves at the base with curled brown tips, deep vibrant leaves in the middle – perky and full of confidence and tender, mint green buds shooting out from the very end.
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Omg – ‘this branch is how we actually age?!’ I said to my cat. She didn’t seem to care so I’m going to tell you instead.
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Our society (while slowly shifting – wooohoo) still favours youth. And since those years only last briefly at the start of our lives, we have a tendency to cling to our past with romanticized longing while resenting the fading allure of our ageing, physical selves.
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But in truth, in each new chapter you undertake, you are sprouting new, vibrant leaves. As you grow through it those leaves age and become part of your sturdy undergrowth.
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It is only our young selves that age. Every day, every season, every undertaking is a new spurt of you-th that grows from your old, young self.
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If you want to experience age – curl your branches backwards, starve them of light, lament on what was and you will stagnate in your present.
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But if you want to remain young, keep reaching up toward the en-light-enment and keep learning new things and just like this branch, you’ll keep growing into YOU-th.
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Ironically Eucalyptus oil heals a myriad of health problems. Maybe it really is the tree of youth?
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