“...by adopting the eternal strength of the mountain we can stand firm in the face of all difficulties and emerge triumphant and unmoved...”

Strength and Endurance
The Firm Mountain

A mountain is constantly assailed by the elements; rain, hail, snow, and wind are perpetually playing upon the bare faces of mountains. Yet these geological monoliths remain unmoved and barely changed throughout the centuries.

Life casts many tribulations at us, the rain of tears, the hail of insults, the freezing snows of hardships innumerable and the drastic winds of unwanted change. But by adopting the eternal strength of the mountain we can stand firm in the face of all difficulties and emerge triumphant and unmoved. We will not always have the answers to all of our problems, and there isn’t always a ready solution. Sometimes, all we can do is simply be strong. Sometimes, by accepting and enduring what life throws at us and refusing to crumble is the greatest and most useful thing we can do. There are times in life when the real solution to the problem is simply to adopt a position of strength. Setting the example of strength, without providing any particular answer is often the only solution. This position of strength and endurance can often solve the entire problem. Then, when the troubles pass, just as rain must pass, as snow must melt, as hail must cease and the winds become still, if we have endured it all like the mountain, and have not crumbled, we remain, and find that troubles are no more.

“...it is the people who have faith that have the genuine ability to transform their lives and experience their dreams growing into reality...”

Faith, Transformation, and Growth
The Redwood Tree

Giant redwood trees, or sequoias, begin their immense growth as one of the smallest of pine cones. Yet the redwood itself grows to enormous heights and exceptional girth. Many redwoods live to be 2,000 years old or even more. Yet all of that incredible growth, amassing to many thousands of tons of wood and bark in a single tree, began as a tiny cone smaller than a chicken’s egg.

Similarly, we needn’t worry if our current ideas seem small and insignificant, just as long as we are prepared to put the effort into our dreams and plans. The giant redwood had to start somewhere, lying unnoticed on the forest floor, so beginning small should not be disclaimed as unworthy of our attention. What matters is that the idea is sound and that it contains potential for the future. If your plans meet the necessary criteria, then by all means implement them and keep an eye on the vision of the future. This requires faith; faith in yourself and faith in your own personal vision. But it is the people who have faith that have the genuine ability to transform their lives and experience their dreams growing into reality.

“...although living independent lives (as geese do) there are times when we must not forget how much we need each other, and, recognizing that need, assist in whatever way we can for the greater good of the whole...”

Cooperation
Migrating Geese Cooperate

Have you ever watched a flock of migrating Canada geese and wondered how on Earth they can endure enormous journeys across land and sea? Yet geese are able to fly in their characteristic V-formation for thousands of miles. This is achieved by mutual cooperation. The lead bird works the hardest, and the birds on the two flanks of the ‘V’ are each assisted in turn by the air currents created by the birds in front of them. As the lead bird tires, one from behind will take over that position in order to create an opportunity for the lead bird to rest by going further back in the formation where it does not have to flap its wings so powerfully, travelling upon the uplift of air currents generated by the birds in front. Each of the geese will take turns in becoming the lead bird, and in this way these creatures are able to traverse great distances, especially when crossing the ocean where there is nowhere to land and rest.

As humans, we might marvel at what some may consider to be dumb animals, that these birds are actually capable of somehow making this unique arrangement with each other. Perhaps we need to marvel instead at ourselves, at how un-cooperative humans can often be. Maybe we can learn from this lesson provided by Nature, that although living independent lives (as geese do) there are times when we must not forget how much we need each other, and, recognizing that need, assist in whatever way we can for the greater good of the whole.