I think we can all agree that nature is amazing. I am always in awe of the animals, the plants, the sky, you name it, I’m amazed. But why talk about nature as a spiritual symbol or reflecting on personal growth? Many aspects of nature can be used as a metaphor for life. The wisdom of nature has so many lessons for us all. We can learn from nature and how it survives, how it grows, the balance of it all and the complexity but also the simplicity of it. I love to look at nature to help get through the day a little easier or find a new perspective in my life.
Take for instance the bristlecone pine tree. This is not an ordinary, everyday pine tree that you see in the forest. This is a SPECIAL pine tree and I mean special. This tree is one of my favorites out of all the varieties of pines. Why? Because of its resilience and perseverance to survive in very diverse and harsh environments.
The bristlecone exists at high altitudes up to 11,000 feet where the winds blow at hurricane speed and the temperatures rival the Antarctic and they still stand, stoically in the face of weather that would bring down many other trees. You can recognize this tree by the shape of its branches, kind of like a bristle brush. It has 5-prong needles, and the needles are shorter than a ponderosa pine tree and longer than a spruce. The pine cones on this tree start out as a purplish/blue color and after two years, grows into a brown, sturdy cone. (See photo) It does not grow as tall as the formidable ponderosa or spruce but how it keeps growing speaks of its resilience.
The bristlecones can live for thousands of years. The oldest known bristlecone is over 4800 years old found in the White Mountains of California called Methuselah. It can resist drought. And it can grow in the crappiest of soil, no problem for this tree as it likes it that way. The crappier the better. It has extremely dense wood, that means it is resistant to rot. Its stumps last far longer than a ponderosa. So once you figure out what exactly a bristlecone looks like, you will be feasting your eyes on one of the most amazing trees on the planet.
We went camping and we had the honor of being surrounded by these trees. We found one knocked down on its side but one root was still in the ground, allowing it to still survive even being pushed over. (See photos) There was another tree that had been hit by lightning and three quarters of it was gone. As a matter of fact, a little critter, probably a squirrel, claimed it as its home in the hole where it was struck but half of it was still alive and thriving. (See photo)
So what does this have to do with you and your life? When we were camping, I felt so amazed and in awe of these trees right in our camp. It reminded me of times when I needed their strength and it also said that we will get through anything, if we just persevere and hold on tight. Nature shows us their wisdom and how to learn from their diversity. The bristlecone shows extraordinary strength and resilience in the face of adversity. It is a symbol of surviving in conditions that are not survivable by other species. The bristlecone is such a metaphor of strength and resilience in an environment that could bring it down.
It reminds me of a time in my life when I had to have strength to keep going each day. I was running a business that just never really took off which was stressful enough but during that same time, my mom had bone cancer and was slowly getting sicker each day. My heart was heavy, but when I went by to check on them, I felt I had to be stoic, and strong so that I would not break down in front of them. It was important to me to show a strong front for what both my parents were facing. It was so hard, but I did it, and I got through it but being stoic was what I needed to do, just like the bristlecone.
When “hard” is facing you straight on, think of the resilience of the bristlecone, know that nature lives it each day and survives and even thrives after a while. If you must, find a bristlecone pine forest and sit amongst their strength. Let your spirit feed off them. And when you feel you are having a hard time, think of the bristlecone and maybe, just maybe, you will have an inch more strength than you did just a moment ago. It works for me but try it out for yourself.
Food for thought questions:
When have you had strength in a very difficult situation?
When was a time where you could have used a little more strength to get you through a hard time?
How would you use the metaphor of the mighty bristlecone pine tree to help you get through your day a little stronger?
How could you use this to help others who need strength right now?
Information about the bristlecone pine tree found on wikipedia.
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