By Greg Dixon
A tree stood rooted high on a mountain overlooking the world. His many branches and leaves reached out on all sides to embrace the world. It came to pass that a wonderful bird saw one of his special boughs and decided that this was the perfect place for her. She built a modest nest and began to raise a family.
It later came to pass that another equally wonderful bird spotted another special branch and decided that this too was the perfect place for her.
At first the tree was filled with joy that two such wonderful birds had chosen his branches to dwell. But soon he wondered if it was right for him to hold out two special boughs. Indeed, he wondered if he were strong enough to support both.
These doubts weakened him daily. His leaves began to wither, his branches began to droop. The special boughs sagged to the point where both nests were in danger. The tree began to panic. He felt he only had strength to support one. But if he put his remaining energy into saving the first bird and her family, the other would fall off the branch and plunge to the ground. If he put the energy into saving the second bird, the family nest would plunge to the ground. Even worse, he feared that his grip on the mountain would fail and he would crash to the ground, destroying all depending on his strength.
These questions sapped his soul for a long time, until a realization struck him. He had been asking the wrong questions. The question was not to choose between the two, but how to grow strong enough to support the two, plus all of the other inhabitants of his branches. The answer lay in his roots. He had neglected his foundation when he focussed his attention completely on his branches. His roots were the main source of his strength and the centre of his being. Through his roots came the energy to be many things to many creatures.
He concentrated again on his roots and his strength came back. The special boughs were soon more secure than ever and all was again well.
Greg Dixon
July 21, 1989
Greg Dixon: Writings
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