5 /5 Nolan James Brown: No matter what walk of life you come from, I strongly encourage you to pay a visit to this beautiful tree - the art of creation - that has seen more days than we have. We share in common with this tree the gift of life, which we have been privileged with. Now, life is a privilege and blessing - yes. Is it easy? Oh, most definitely not. But, it can become fulfilling and worth every moment when we learn to appreciate and be grateful for the very few things we have that actually matter in life: people (friends/loved ones), faith, finding our purpose, and living a purpose-driven life wherein we give back to the world in our own unique way. We each have a unique contribution to make that is like one drop of water that lands on the surface of a pond and sends ripples throughout. The ripple effect extends far beyond our immediate awareness and can even outlast the window of time we spend here on this planet. This comes from someone who believes in the scientific method and evolution and, therefore, may be misconstrued as someone who would by default not be led by faith/spirituality. However, that faith and reason/science are in opposition is the most ironic fallacy that society perpetuates today. When you come to see the Tree of Life, reflect on life, on who we are and how we got here, and where we are headed. Then, be present. Think about how beautiful this tree is. I can feel a loving life force radiating out of it. It, too, has a will to survive as all humans and other living beings do. And consider how we as a society think nothing of chopping down trees like this, or of driving animals to extinction, or of going to war with each other. Let us be more like this tree. Steady, always present, unwavering, peaceful, enduring, gracious, loving, gentle, and uniquely magnificent. That is who we all are within our innermost core, regardless of the very thing I mentioned in the first sentence: the particular walk of life it is that we come from. Let us not worry about what others have that we might not have. Let us feel magnificent, becoming the best version of "us" that we can be. This is not a competition. There is no single person that is better than any other single person. What competition is the Tree of Life engaged in? Does this wise old tree spend a single day worrying about how it compares to any of its arboreal neighbors? I think not. Rather, it waits patiently, always ready to give. it has taken root within the earth where it has remained for centuries (from well before the time that we became a nation). Therefore, please be gentle with this ancient wonder, but feel free to touch its trunk, its roots, its life-giving bark. Watch as its beautiful branches hang and swing gently in the southern breeze. Take a deep breath. In moments like these, I feel that nature is home. We must cherish it because we need it. To me, it is the city where loneliness spreads over the populace like a dark cloud. I have never, ever felt alone in nature. In solitude, I realize that true solitude doesnt exist, for I can feel the energy of the beautiful creation surrounding me. I feel connected to it all and am reminded that I am right where I should be. Taking root, and thanking my heavenly Father who is always with me. Again, I am very much a scientist. Science, beginning with DNA, points to a Creator. DNA makes us who we are, yet it is complex beyond a comprehensible level. It is perfect. It is not possible for randomness to achieve perfection with such sophistication. The story of life and how we "got here" is like a movie. Yet, this screenplay is almost too good to be true. The key is ALMOST - because it IS true in every way. Science is a discipline - and religion is a practice. Both have come about as we have attempted to process perfection - even though we cannot, for we are not perfect. Science=religion. We can study and attempt to understand all we can about it, and we should. It is absolutely fascinating, and along the way we learn to appreciate just how amazing wonders such as the Tree of Life truly are. Take care and God bless.
