Be like a Sequoia

Sequoia Tree

Do you know what a Sequoia tree looks like? They are HUGE!!!! Giant sequoias are the world's largest single trees by volume.   They reach an average height of 160 to 279 feet (50 to 85 meters and average diameter of 20 - 26 feet (6 - 8 meters).  Record trees have been identified at 311 feet (94.8 meters) and 56 feet (17 meters) in diameter.  The oldest known giant sequoia is estimated at 3, 500 years old.  To they are big, gorgeous redwood trees - what does this have to do with you you are asking?  Good questions.  So let's explore it.  

If you have ever spent any time on Facebook you will have seen all sorts of tests, there is the “What animal are you”, the “What’s your elf name” a myriad of others and there is also a Celtic one as to which tree you are.  I think I came out as a Willow on that one.  My suggestion is BE A SEQUOIA.

Sequoias live in a fire prone environment.  There is deadwood leaning up against them, they have branches that need to be removed and the underbrush that no one ever tends is growing up and sucking up their nutrients and light.  Their saplings can't survive in such an environment.  So Sequoia's need fire, they need a crisis to flourish.  Fire removes the deadwood and the undergrowth and causes the conses to explode and cast their seeds which the ash of the fire fertilises.  The saplings that are strong enough survive.  Sequoias thrive in the chaos and crisis of fire.  Do they burn up along with the other trees?  Sequoias have fibrous, fire-resistant bark that can grow up to two feet thick.  So they might get slightly singed, even charred, but it doesn't do them any real permanent damage.  

As a human challenges come up in life that are unexpected and can feel as if your whole world has turned upside down or is falling apart.  Everything you thought was real, present, your dreams, your goals – poof, gone!.  Whether it is losing your job, a relationship ending, a child getting hurt, a friend betraying you, they all have the same impact which is picking you up and throwing you into a crisis situation.

Crisis came from the Greek word “Krisis” meaning “decisive moment”.  That’s what happens when we experience one of those challenging events, we have a choice to make a decision and possibly pick something different, or a different way of thinking and acting.  BE A SEQUOIA.

Use that challenge, the fire of the situation to create a new window of opportunity, to explore, dig deep and step up even stronger whilst you cast your seeds of desire and creativity out into the ashes that are surrounding you.  Now I know that may sound poetic, but it’s true.  You can look at a situation or event as limiting, overwhelming and challenging.  That’s fine, you need to spend some time there and feel the emotions and get angry, cry and feel thoroughly pissed off.  But after that you have a choice.  Are you going to stay stuck and wallow, or are you going to use that crisis to fuel something new, fiery and that aligns with who you are?