What if a tree gets into mental health issues?

Trees provide us with vital life-sustaining resources such as oxygen, food, and shelter, without which life on Earth would be impossible. Beyond these essentials, trees also offer profound lessons. One of the most significant lessons I've learned from trees is their ability to teach us patience.

Unlike a vegetable garden that yields crops in a matter of months, a fruit tree requires years to mature and bear fruit. It embodies and requires patience. A fruit tree invests substantial time in strengthening its core before it begins to produce.

This principle can be applied to our lives, especially in nurturing children as they grow. It's crucial to help them identify their core strengths and dedicate time to develop them. However, today's generation is accustomed to shortcuts, often influenced by technology and instant gratification. Patience seems to have lost its significance in our fast-paced world.

I don't oppose children having early access to technology and its benefits. Yet, amidst these advancements, it's essential to emphasize the importance of building a strong foundation and patiently nurturing it. Taking shortcuts may yield immediate results, but it risks turning one into a bonsai—beautiful and admired, yet limited in its potential impact compared to a fully grown tree.

Inevitably, there comes a phase in every person's life where material pursuits like money, fame, and success take a backseat to deeper self-realization. This introspective phase prompts fundamental questions:

• What is my purpose?

• What impact am I making in society?

• What truly defines happiness for me?

• Am I pursuing my passions?

These questions, when left unanswered, can lead to feelings of incompleteness and the onset of a mid-life crisis. This phase is inevitable for both fully grown trees and bonsai versions of ourselves; only the intensity may vary.

Ultimately, embracing patience and investing in our core strengths can lead to fulfilling personal growth and a deeper impact on the world around us.

How a fully grown tree can come out of this situation?

First things first, the height of a fully grown tree offers a significant advantage. It provides greater exposure to various dimensions of life and enhances visibility, which a bonsai version of oneself lacks.

You might not perceive this situation or phase of life as a serious problem. All it takes is some introspection. By dedicating time to reflect, you'll find plenty of stories to keep you motivated and discover answers to life's fundamental questions that frequently arise.

Investing time, cultivating patience, and continuously seeking knowledge as you grow will help you solidify your core values. These values shape your identity over time while allowing you to fully embrace every aspect of life.

How a Bonsai can come out of this situation?

Considering the limited height to which a Bonsai is allowed to grow, you can imagine its restricted exposure to different dimensions of life. It primarily operates at surface levels with significantly reduced visibility compared to a fully grown tree.

Being a fancy or statement piece in a home garden, a Bonsai holds its own identity and importance. The challenge arises when a Bonsai compares itself to a fully grown tree. Due to its limited exposure, it may struggle to find answers to deeper questions, which can sometimes be labeled as mental health issues or depression.

Both the Bonsai and fully grown tree have their advantages and disadvantages. The choice of perspective is yours, and once chosen, it's important not to doubt yourself. Learn to unconditionally enjoy your existence.

Just as a tree cannot transform into a Bonsai after a certain point, the analogy holds true for personal growth. However, both forms can reproduce, allowing new life to choose its own path and perspective.

Similarly, as parents, we often project our life experiences onto our children, nudging them towards choices they may not currently enjoy. Instead, we can support their growth by allowing them space to develop independently, offering our best support along the way.

This approach is the least we can do for them. If you resonate with this perspective or believe it could impact someone you know, I encourage you to share your thoughts and insights.