The Oak Tree Takes its Time

Consider the mighty oaks. They take a long time growing to full maturity, and for many years they remain unnoticed until they produce their first crop of acorns. It takes about forty years for an oak to produce its first acorns, and up until that point the tree is rather insignificant.

Yet in time the oak tree becomes the mightiest of all trees in the wood, providing a home for birds and supporting a diverse range of insects and lichens. Sometimes they can live to be 1,000 years old.

There is no denying the rugged beauty of oak trees, and how people are drawn to them. We are attracted by their regal majesty and power. All of this from a tree that remained unnoticed for a great number of years in the wood or hedgerow.

In comparison to the oak, sometimes our own success or personal growth comes late in life, and for most people it is because we need to reach a certain degree of maturity first. However, it's never too late. Young oaks are blasted by the winds, baked by the sun, soaked by the rain and frozen by the frost and snow. All of these elemental effects serve only to strengthen the tree and increase its growth.

Similarly, if we did not suffer adversities in life we would not be equipped for the rewards of such experience. We might not even notice that we have grown at all, or that we have achieved anything. We hold this in common with the oak as the many vicissitudes of life assail us also. They are there to improve our essential character and mould us into something better, stronger and more enduring.

Therefore, welcome those things that appear as troubles, for like the elements beating upon the young oak tree they serve to improve the quality of your nature. Do not despise difficulties but recognise that they are drawn to you in order to help you to grow.

Neither despair if your goals or achievements come late in life ~ you will probably appreciate them far more. Remember the oak, that it brings forth its acorns only when the tree is mature enough to produce them, and when it does bear fruit, the acorns are plentiful indeed.