Bend, But Don’t Break !

Many people have numerous beautiful memories relating to their childhood incidents and events etc. which they often cherish throughout their life. Likewise, I too have many such memories which sometimes transcend me into very soothing and comforting thoughts, particularly when I am alone and sitting – thinking and browsing over my childhood days. One of my such fondest memories as a child is going by the river and sitting leisurely / idly on the bank. There I would enjoy the cool shade of the trees, peace and tranquility, watch the water rushing downstream, and listen to the chirping of the beautiful birds, running briskly or flying here and there, from one branch of a tree to another, of many agile squirrels & their squeaking sounds and the rustling of leaves on the trees. I would also watch the bamboo trees bend under pressure of the winds and also watch them return gracefully to their upright or original position after the wind has died down. The same strength and resilience can be observed in the branches of a mulberry tree; but certainly not in eucalyptus trees, which get broken up very easily.

When I think about the bamboo tree’s ability to bounce back or return to its original position, two words which come naturally to my mind are “perseverance and resilience”. When used in reference to a person’s personality traits – these words mean his ability and capacity to readily recover from a shock or depression or some other unpleasant situation which test and stretch the limits of that person’s emotions and hidden strengths. It also signifies a quality of continuing something steadfastly even in difficult / adverse situations or atmosphere.

Have you ever felt like you are about to snap? Have you ever had the feeling that you are at your breaking point ? And once those bad or ugly moments pass over and become a thing of the past, you just thank God ! You have survived the bad and nasty experience, and are still enjoying the life and discussing it with your dears and nears.

During those experiences, you probably felt a mixture of emotions that threatened your health, sometimes, even your inner strength for which perseverance and resilience are very much required for your instinct for survival. You may have felt emotionally drained out, mentally and physically exhausted and most likely you might have endured many occasional unpleasant physical withdrawal symptoms.

Life is really a mixture of good times and bad times, happy moments and unpleasant moments. The next time you are experiencing one of those bad times or unhappy moments that take you closer to your breaking point, you may bend momentarily, but don’t lose heart and allow yourself to break. Always remember the resilience and perseverance power of the bamboo tree …………. Try your best – not to let the negative situation get the best of you.

A measure of hope for the better in near future will take you through the unpleasant ordeal. With hope for a better tomorrow or a better situation awaiting you and your family, things may not be as bad as they seem to be. The unpleasant ordeal may become easier to deal with if the end result is worth waiting and enjoying later on.

If the going gets tough and you are at your breaking point, show and experience the resilience and perseverance like never before. And very much like the bamboo or mulberry trees, depending upon the time and prevailing situation, you may have to bend, but don’t become a victim of breaking down ! Always try to inculcate the strengths and resilience power of a bamboo or mulberry trees, and certainly be not like a eucalyptus tree. And if you are able to demonstrate that golden skill and traits of the first two trees, good time is very much there waiting for you, with all open arms to embrace you to a soothing and comforting tranquillity. Peace, progress and harmony shall follow you automatically.