185th Edition
Unplugged with a Northern Red Oak
Before I unveil my grand plan to convince people to unplug for one hour a day, I thought it made sense to write about simple things a person could do for about an hour. The goal here is to find something that will decrease anxiety, fear, and anger, all of which seem to be escalating due to several factors. The primary culprit has to be AI. Fears are rampant about the future impact of AI on humanity. Will China use it to take over the world? Will uncontrolled AI end the human race? Disturbing questions like these are popping up all over the place. Now the government seems determined to take control, regulate AI, and of course make this groundbreaking new technology work perfectly to man’s benefit. In my mind, government regulation of AI is the most disturbing development of all. Secondary causes of heightened anxiety include hyperinflation, uncontrollable government spending, and an ever-increasing federal deficit. America is the most medicated society in history, yet we are far from the healthiest. Could unplugging one hour every day and spending time meditating, or just being peaceful and still, help? I think so, and it surely can’t hurt. So, what could a person do during an unplugged hour? Here is one idea…
I’ve been spending quite a bit of time studying and learning about trees. In our neighborhood we have at least twenty-one different kinds of trees, including: American Beech, Tulip, Ash, Northern Red Oak, Southern Red Oak, Sweet Gum, Shortleaf Pine, Red Maple, Cedar Elm, Black Oak, Shagbark Hickory, Willow Oak, Black Oak, Basswood, Black Tupelo, Butternut, Bitternut Hickory, Cherrybark Oak, American Elm, American Sycamore, and Sourwood. Seems like quite a list, doesn’t it?
In the U.S. there are nearly nine hundred different species of trees. I think it would be cool to find one of each species. Another goal, just what I need. Trees are essential to the health and sustainability of our planet, as they supply approximately 25% of our oxygen. They serve as the linchpin of our ecosystem and humans cannot survive without them.
When I was a small boy, I loved to climb trees. There was a stand of long-needle pine trees in our backyard, and I loved to see how high I could climb in these tall, slender trees. On occasion I could almost touch the highest branch. Not far from my house was a ravine and there was a section where vines grew from a few of the largest trees. Swinging on the vines across the ravine was a big thrill, and thankfully the tree branches held the vines securely, emitting soft moans as the vines twisted and swung, as if the tree was enjoying it as much as we were.
Sometime ago, my wife and I visited a park in California that was home to giant redwood trees. Some were wide enough for a car to drive through.
To some, trees lend themselves to a heightened sense of spirituality. Their resoluteness has a calming influence while their size and majesty can offer peace and perspective. Whether it is a forest of trees, or a lone tree in a wide-open field, trees beckon us to quiet companionship if only for a brief respite from the sun.
No two trees, even of the same species, are exactly identical. Ever wonder why? Every human, even identical twins, is also unique. Theologians contend that God made each of us for a specific purpose. Could He have done the same for trees?
To discover the myriad of living organisms that trees support takes a certain amount of patience, luck, and a keen eye. Insects, birds, and small animals can often be found in trees if one looks close enough.
Beyond all this amazing stuff, the most important gift trees give us is the opportunity to be still and quiet. Take a few deep breaths, feel a sense of solitude, and perhaps a connection with God’s amazing kingdom. Try it. I have and it lowers anxiety, fear, frustration, and anger. I don’t really know how, but I’m not sure I need to know. Time for me to go spend some time with my favorite backyard tree. A tall, majestic Northern Red Oak. Nature’s companion. God’s gift to a trouble world.
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Michael Kayes
*These views are my personal opinions and are not the viewpoints of any company or organization.