A couple of weeks ago I took a hike in one of my favorite parks. A bad storm came through the area last summer and the park was closed for several months because of all the trees that were knocked down. In many spots on the trails you have to walk through 3-foot gaps that have been chain-sawed out of fallen trees.
Some trees have been entirely ripped from the ground. Their gnarled roots point up to the blue sky instead of down into the rich, black soil that was their home. Some of the trees are leaning, and it’s hard to know if they will recover. Every tree in the park looks dead, however, whether standing tall or almost horizontal. They are still in their winter dormant period, resting and waiting. It’s nature’s way.
So it is with people.
Faith – The strongest faith can have periods of doubt. Maybe you’re just not feeling it. Keep praying, keep trying. Even if it seems you are merely going through the motions, there is merit in the exercise. It helps keep you close so you can hear the call when it comes again.
Don’t give up on faith.
Hope – Life is not easy. Much of it is plain hard. But it is also made up of many, many small moments of quiet contentment, laughter and connection. Something as simple as a favorite, old song coming on the radio can raise a smile. A wave of pure joy can rush in when you least expect it, rush in to lift you up.
When despair threatens to swamp you, remember the good times. Look for them because they will come again.
Don’t give up on hope.
Love – Every relationship goes through a cooling period. The ordinariness of everyday life can smother passion. Love changes with time, and when it does, you may not recognize it. Realize that love may still be there, just different.
Romantic love may not be for you. There are other kinds of love that are no less precious: love of family, for a child, for friends, and the love of God, which is evergreen.
Don’t give up on love.
When it seems that faith, hope or love is gone, cling to the belief that they are dormant, not dead. As long as life remains there is the possibility that tomorrow will be better.
Don’t give up – spring will come.
Peg-o-Leg's Ramblings 
It’s wonderful how the trees look dead one month, and just a couple of months later are full of buds.
BTW, I just noticed your Welcome! button which says to send $50. How is that working out? I might like to try it on my blog – I’ll keep my amount a little lower out of respect for your more established blog. 🙂
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For some reason I have yet to collect dime one from that little suggestion. Do you think I’d do better if I upped the amount to, say, $100? You try it and let me know how it works.
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Hmm, that’s an idea. Raise the price to make it look more exclusive. People will run to their banks to transfer funds to you!
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This comes timely for me. I’m going trough a rough patch at this moment. I always been weathering storms all my life but I find it is getting more difficult as I get older and for the first time I am questioning everything including my faith.
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I’m so sorry you’re going through a tough time. I do think these get tougher to slog through as we get older. It’s “Oh, hell, not THIS again?”
Gotta hand in there, though. You’re not alone!
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What a lovely piece, Peg. Happy spring to you! My dog Duncan loves those fallen trees — he climbs on top and plays King of the Mountain …
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Thanks, Elyse. Duncan sounds like such an energetic, sweet dog. And did I say, energetic?
I’m heading out right now for a long walk after work for some much-needed head-clearing and mood-lifting.
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Lovely words of wisdom, and hope.
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Thanks so much.
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Wisdom in every season…..
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What a lovely thought – thanks!
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Another one who appreciates this post right now. So far, 2015 has sucked. Between death, illnesses, more death, and job loss, I’m so over it. Most days I’m okay and just know that it’s temporary and something bigger and better is coming. Some days, I just want to give up. This is a nice reminder to stay the course. Thank you.
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I’m really sorry this has been the Year of Suck. May I suggest you put on your absolute favorite music and sing it at the top of your lungs right, damn, now? In the privacy of your home or car, of course.
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Do I get to dance too? Wildly and insanely and completely out of sync?
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You sure as hell better.
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Love this!
Sent from my iPhone
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Thanks so much, Carol.
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“But it is also made up of many, many small moments of quiet contentment, laughter and connection.”—I agree. I think most of our happiness comes from these small moments. We just have to focus on the Now and recognize them. But that’s the tricky part, isn’t it?
Such a lovely post, Peg.
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Thanks, Carrie. I think that much unhappiness in life is because people DON’T know that life is tough, with relieving moments. They chase that elusive, universal, unattainable goal of “being happy” as if it were something, once grasped, that you own forever. The disappointment that they can’t keep it always with them can be too much to bear.
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Wonderful words of wisdom, Peg – and a lovely capture of trees down…but not quite for the full count yet.
Keep on keepin’ on.
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Thanks, Other Peg. I’m going to revisit that trail this weekend to see if some of those trees have sprouted yet.
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That was just the thing I needed to read today. Thank you
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Thanks for the kind words.
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It’s funny, though, how the moments that generally seem small are the ones that sustain and grow over time. Whatever turmoil and strife was happening in the past tends to shrink down to the facts of it, while the support and renewal stays kinetic.
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So true. I have a memory of walking with my then-small daughter in the fall; I can almost taste the hint of wood-smoke in the air, see the vivid leaves, hear them crunch underfoot and feel her small hand in mine. The joy of that moment still moves me to tears when I bring it to mind.
Nice to see you, B-man.
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You can steal my title for your next blog post.
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At first I thought you were reprising your puppy/toilet adventure.
Words to live by. The longer days help me, the sunsets, and the many little joys you pointed out. They combine to provide renewed faith, hope and love. Your usual finely tuned prose.
Amen.
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No, no funny today, Miss Tar. You’re so right about the longer days and the sunshine – it helps immeasurably. Changing into my sweats to head out for some fresh air right now!
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Wonderful words of wisdom. Food for the soul and spirit. (Linda)
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Thanks, Linda.
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No matter what you write, you bring a smile to my face and inspiration to my heart. You write magic, Peg!
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Lorna, aren’t you sweet? Thanks.
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I can’t help but speak the truth! 🙂
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The rebirth and renewal of nature in springtime is a great metaphor for the renewal we can do within ourselves. But we don’t need to limit this to one season; it’s always available to us. Great post, Peg!
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That’s such a good point – there isn’t just one season for renewal.
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I always love watching the trees come alive in spring. Good post. 🙂
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It fills us with hope, doesn’t it?
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Hello there … Just dropping by to tell you that I nominated you for a Very Inspiring Blogger Award (Typing Machine Version):
You can check it out at the end of this post http://wp.me/p60vo-4ah
All my best wishes. Aquileana 😀
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Thank you so very much! I’m usually too lazy to do whatever is required to claim an award, but I am very grateful for the shout-out.
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Excellent post and analogy. Gee, wish I’d written this.
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Thanks, Patti – so good to see your smiling avatar!
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It’s been quite a year so far. I’m home in Wisconsin helping my mom. My dad went into the nursing home and my brother had surgery. I’ll be back in a week for a memorial service. Soon the sun will shine and spring will be in full swing. I can hardly wait for that sunshine…
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Oh Susie, I’m so sorry about your dad. That has to be tough for you and your mom.
My mom is in the hospital right now, but we have every reason to believe she’ll be home in a few days. She and my dad lean on one another – it’s the only way they can still be at home.
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I’ll say a prayer for your mom!!!
Actually, my dad’s really happy and my mom has been finally able to rest after caring for him intensely for months. He has dementia. My brother is on the mend. One more trip back for a memorial service a week from now, a writing conference the following weekend and I’ll get back in the swing of things. Woohoo! I can hardly wait… I will truly become a Wild Rider once again.
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I really enjoyed this post.
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We have to keep on keepin’ on, right?
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wow! This is inspiring..M touched. Thank you.
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Thank you for stopping by – I’m glad you liked the piece.
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AMEN!
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Great post, as always!
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Thanks so much for the kind comment.
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This is just what the doctor ordered, Peg! Thanks for the reminder to not lose hope! It’s hard as heck to keep that hope alive at times but it’s up to us to seek it. 🙂
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Great point – we have to seek hope and happiness because they’re not always readily apparent.
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Another great post and thank you for reminding us that life isn’t easy but there is joy to be found!
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We just have to know where to look.
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Well this was a pleasant burst of positivity
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Well…not positive, perhaps, but trying to point out that EVERYthing isn’t negative. 😉
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This is just what I needed to read right now. Beautiful words. You should really consider writing a book.
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I am. 😉
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Beautiful sentiments….and inspirational. My credo is somewhat similar, except it includes Xanax.
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I’m thinking of adopting your version of the credo. How bad are the side effects?
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It’s the side effects that are the good part!
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Lovely, gentle and reflective. I like to think I always take time to focus on, and be grateful for, the little moments of fun and happiness, whatever else is going on, rather than expecting everything to be perfect!
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Good for you! I really think that is the secret to contentment in this life.
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Amazing words..faith, hope and love!! Let us pray that God will make us a beacon of all these virtues. Be blessed.
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Thank you.
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You are welcome
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Reblogged this on Precious Cynthia and commented:
Every moment in life is important. There are so many lessons to learn from other people. Check this out and may God make you a beacon of faith, hope and love.
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Pingback: Don’t give up spring will come…. | angles12
I am very glad I didn’t get frustrated with trying to play catch up, fling my hands in the air and not read. This came at a perfect time. What a wonderful message Peg, thanks for writing it. I think we all need the reminder.
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It’s good to know we’re not alone – maybe every one of us needs a reminder sometimes.
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Reblogged this on key to my inner soul and commented:
I love this so much.
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