I saw something on my morning drive the other day that I have never noticed before. I was at a red light and looked to my right. On a small concreted area on the grass stood a generator which had been installed in order to service the traffic lights when power is down. For security purposes, the generator is completely enclosed by iron bars.
Within the enclosure itself I saw a plant growing out of the cemented ground. I have no idea what type of plant it is, but it looks like it could grow into a big tree…but for its enclosure.
As I sat there waiting for the light to turn green, I couldn’t help but marvel at this sight. This little tree was by all accounts healthy and growing. This little tree seemed to be flourishing and filling out nicely. But this little tree was limited. Its potential was stunted. Its growth may have been healthy, but there was no future for greatness.
I imagined what the tree might be telling itself:
I see growth, just look at my leaves…I’m fine.
I may not be next to the other trees, but I am safe and sound within these bars…I’m fine.
Yes, there may be limits to how big I can grow, but I’m strong and I’m healthy for now…I’m fine.
Seeing this little tree completely caged-in spoke to me deeply.
How many of us are just fine?
How many of us feel stuck on the inside, but when we look to our outward circumstances and see growth, we convince ourselves that we are alright?
How many of us suspect that there is more out there, but we are afraid to make any movements because where we are right now feels safe and comfortable?
How many of us accept the things that are holding us back from pursuing what we really want because, by society’s measure, we’re a success?
As my light turned green and I travelled on, I couldn’t stop thinking about what I had just seen. If I could have removed those bars and freed that tree to fulfil its true potential, I would have.
I thought of the bars in my own life that have sought to hold me back over the years. I could easily identify the beliefs, expectations and perceived limitations that surrounded me, coaxing me with comfort, yet stifling any meaningful growth.
I couldn’t remove the barriers placed on that little tree, but I could face my own hindrances head on.
Just as a little tree in a cage can never flourish enough to bear fruit, I can’t expect to fulfill that which I know I am truly capable of if I don’t break free from every bar that encumbers me.
We all have different bars that confine us.
Some are imprisoned by fear.
Some are boxed in by expectation.
Some are caged by security.
Some are trapped by our own perceived limitations.
Instead of growing up and out of the things that hold us back, we remain stuck. We stay safe. We insist that we are fine.
I read some simple words a long time ago, and they stayed with me. They said, “If you don’t like where you are, move. You are not a tree.”
This little tree may not be able to move, but I can. I now know that I have the power to face my various enclosures head on and say:
I no longer want to keep growing within bars.
I no longer want to be boxed in by what other people want for me.
I no longer want to be caged by what society tells me success looks like.
I no longer want to stunt my progress because I feel comfortable within the security of my confines.
I no longer want to accept the rhetoric that very few people are able to live fully, passionately and with purpose.
I believe that there is more to life than just being fine.
Once we start dismantling those bars one by one, a beautiful thing happens:
Potential becomes unfettered.
Peace begins to flourish.
We bear fruit as we increase our reach.
Others find refuge in the comforting shade that only comes through meaningful growth.
Perhaps you, too, know what it is to merely be fine.
But here’s the thing: fine is not enough.
Stuck is not sufficient.
Alright is not acceptable.
On the contrary…
Fulfillment is attainable.
Peace is possible.
Passion and purpose can be aligned.
It’s time to remove those bars.
It’s time to allow yourself to grow.
Such an encouraging post, and timely, too. I’ve been recently thinking about leaving my employment and branching out on my own. I tend to be more worried about the security of my present job than just taking the jump. Thank you for the encouragement.
Thank you, Linda. I’m so happy that this spoke to you in such a relevant way!
A very meaningful post! Thank you Angelina.
Thank you, Rob!
It just so happens that I will be leaving California in the summer after spending my life in southern CA since the age of 14. I have 2 sons, one on his own and one in college and a live in boyfriend. I have known for a few years that I need to get out of CA and live in a new environment. I have flown around during Covid exploring different areas that were by family. I realized that climate was at the top of my list as I really hate extreme heat and humidity. There was one place left that I knew I needed to visit but there were no friends or family there or even close. I made myself get on the plane and go there about 3 weeks ago. I was on a mission and drove all day for several days by myself exploring the different areas. Ironically the last afternoon of the last day I was there I stumbled on a small new development that spoke to me. I am now in the process of buying a house there. I know no one and everyone thinks I am crazy to go live on my own. I love people, have many friends and my boyfriend will come visit monthly. I will be building a new life by myself and can hardly believe I am doing this as I am totally comfort and security oriented. The universe has been calling and I know it will be very challenging as I am self supporting but I have yet to feel any dissonance about my decision. I know if I stayed here and waited until my boyfriend could go with me or a friend it would be years and I had to trust and jump. I will be moving to Ashville North Carolina and will let you know how I am when I get settled. I was the tree in your story but now I am not…. hurray!
You go girl! I’m welled up with excitement for you! There’s magic in the air. Have a blast!
Oh, Susan! Thank you for sharing this with me. It has given me goosebumps! There is so much hope for us all in those words :”I was the tree in your story but now I am not.” Hurray indeed!!
My Dear Angelina,
You continue to amaze me width your depth of sensitivity and your insight at viewing the meaning of life itself. Your interest on this stunted tree, and the lengths you would go to help it to become healthy and great again, are indeed admirable and highly commendable. – I would have expected nothing less from you!
But a word of caution.
In your earnest desire to achieve the best for everyone and everything, you must be careful not to ignore the fact that there is always another side of the coin!
Ralph Waldo Emerson very succinctly hinted to this when he observed:
To be yourself in a world that is constantly trying to make
you something else is the greatest accomplishment.”
Perhaps there is a reason for this stunted tree to be in that position, and instead of trying the almost impossible task of “seeking greatness outside,” should we not take the time to find out its true destiny.
Far better a happy tree in a small plot,
than one struggling to survive in the forest.
Uncle Edward
Dearest Uncle Edward, Thank you for highlighting this different perspective. I fully agree that to be ourselves in a world that tries to make us something else is the greatest accomplishment. That is how I saw those bars… as limiting that tree from fully being itself. I saw the bars in my own life (bars of expectation, perfection and fear) as trying to make me something else. Perhaps it is not so much “seeking greatness outside” as it is “finding greatness within”. I absolutely love the imagery of a happy tree in a small plot as opposed to one struggling to survive in the forest. Removing those bars may very well be the first step toward that happiness.
I think fulfilment, peace, and joy are all totally attainable, and to get it we have to look within ourselves. Love ourselves, make peace with ourselves. Those bars that are there, we created ourselves when we conform to society while we are trying to be true to ourselves. Only we can remove those bars!
I always enjoy reading your posts!
Oh yes, only we can remove those bars! Thank you, Kari!
Out of all the posts I subscribe to, your writing speaks to me most. Your insights sometime evoke great emotions in me. Thank you.
Lorinda, this means so much to me. Thank you!
Very nice blog post.