The Wisdom of Trees
The Jewish holiday of Tu B’Shvat marks the “New Year of the Trees.” During this time, trees emerge from their winter slumber and begin to grow new fruits. Historically, Tu B’Shvat was commonly celebrated with an agricultural festival where people ate fruits, nuts, and dates. In modern day, Tu B’Shvat has developed into an environmental holiday during which we take to heart our role as caretakers of the land and pause to appreciate all that it provides.
Tu B’Shvat is a celebration of all trees, not just ones specifically native to Israel. Trees provide life for all on Earth. Their role in maintaining a healthy and habitable ecosystem are infinite. They silently teach lessons about patience, endurance, and strength. If we choose to listen closely, trees can teach us how navigate the uncertainty of the year ahead.
Five lessons from trees:
5. Stay Grounded.
Trees have strong roots which allow them to obtain nutrients from the soil to grow and thrive. This year, use your own roots for the strength to persevere through hard times.
4. Bend, Don’t Break.
Tree branches bend and twist to accommodate their growth and adapt to their environment. If something gets in their way, they branch out. Let us also adapt and grow.
3. Let Go of Things that Don’t Serve You.
Just as trees drop their leaves, we must also learn to let go of what we can’t control.
2. Uplift your Community.
Once a tree is planted, it stays there for its whole life. Trees work to make the environment they live in habitable for all other living things. With the stay-at-home orders still in place, shop locally, donate, and volunteer to help your community (and yourself)!
1. Be Patient.
Trees take years and years to grow. Good things take time.
This year, we continue invite that which is unfamiliar and uncomfortable into our lives as we navigate through (hopefully) the end of these hard times. Trees remind us that the unknown can invite internal and external growth for each and every one of us. Like seeds, we too will sprout, creating deep roots for a solid foundation and lean on one another to make our community a safer, and happier place.
Written by Allie Mandel, Marketing and Outreach Associate at Coastal Roots Farm