10 Comments
User's avatar
Vijaya Vardhan🍊's avatar

Surrounding yourself with encouraging people is a game changer especially if you are prone to lack of self worth and negativity. I was like this a few years ago. Thanks to God Almighty, my family and the church, I am back into my positive zone of comfort. The lessons from the Oak Tree are profound.

Expand full comment
Faith & Flourish's avatar

The Oak tree, a great reminder! Reminds me of the Chinese Bamboo tree that you have to water everyday and doesn’t break ground until the 5th year. Keep watering your gift!

Expand full comment
Alyssa Durst's avatar

It's so funny that you mention bamboo! This weekend, my family and I went on a hiking vacation, and my kiddos encountered bamboo for the first time. They were so fascinated by its strength that they wanted to bring a piece home to use as a walking stick for future hikes.

Thanks for this reminder and the encouraging words! Nice to connect. 😊

Expand full comment
Faith & Flourish's avatar

I literally just wrote something similar yesterday!! Oh em gee!! I love it. I reflected on starting my creative lifestyle later in life!

Expand full comment
Jessica Mattison's avatar

"Discouragement is the antithesis of creativity. In fact, discouragement can axe our creative pursuits and stop them from growing.”

Unfortunately, so true. This morning I reflected and wrote about opportunities I threw away because I believed the ones who discouraged me from fulfilling my potential. In times that I have been hurt, I stop writing, writers block getting the best of me. It’s in these times that we have the capability to do so much more, though. Thank you for giving me something to think about! I love that you write about the resiliency of the oak tree and imagine I will go back to this often as I press forward.

Expand full comment
Alyssa Durst's avatar

Your response really resonates, Jessica! I, too, have thrown away many opportunities in the midst of discouragement, but I always like to remember that every new day is a new chance to try again and press forward. ❤️

Expand full comment
Linda MacKillop's avatar

Love this, Alyssa! I found great encouragement here as someone who’s been a late bloomer in life. Glad we’re walking this road together!

Expand full comment
Alyssa Durst's avatar

I feel the same way, Linda! ❤️

Expand full comment
Karen Rabbitt's avatar

Yes, Alyssa, don’t give up and don’t compare.

We each have our own path.

Blessings, Karen

Expand full comment
Alyssa Durst's avatar

So true, Karen. It took me a long time to learn this lesson, but how freeing it is to focus on my own path.

Expand full comment