Finding Your Roots and Wings
Tree with branches and roots.
Sitting by a tree, or any plant life really, can not only be a pleasant experience, but it can also remind us of the beauty of roots. Plants need roots to survive. They are not optional. Roots, no matter how deep or shallow, connect the plant to the earth. The plant can then receive nutrients from the soil and find safety in being connected to the earth. If the wind blows, the tree remains at home where it is growing rather than following the whims of the wind. Wings on the other hand allow creatures to fly, explore, ride the currents of air, and move with it. There is such beauty and freedom in watching birds, for example, play in the air, spreading their wings, and finding joy in exploring and seeing what is out there.
On the surface, roots and wings seem incongruent. However, together they give us the strength to be ourselves with the freedom to explore but a place to come home so that we are not blown around. Without roots we can easily be pushed and pulled in multiple directions with the wind. That can lead to us being misled by what others think that we should be or should do. It can lead us to think that we should be better than the next person or that this shiny thing looks nice. Or even that we should collect achievements or accolades that the world says we should have instead of trusting that we are enough and that our gifts are enough just the way they are. Without wings, we forget that we can explore, share our gifts, and find freedom in being creative with how we dance or engage with the world around us. We become so rooted in our ways, thoughts, and experiences that we can easily become stuck or stiff. Maybe we even find that we forget how to engage with the world around us.
That is why we need both, roots and wings, so that we can share our gifts, explore, and remain true to ourselves. If we find both and embrace both then we find ourselves in a place of balance. This balance is not a static balance but rather a dynamic balance where it changes, ebbs, and flows so that we can still learn and grow as we explore and come home. Just as balance isn’t about being rigid, roots and wings aren't about being pulled apart. Roots and wings are about embracing both finding the connection and flow between.
take action today moment:
Here is the invitation. Find your roots and wings! Begin by finding each one individually. Maybe start by finding your roots. Stand by a tree or plant and imagine its roots. Then imagine what yours looks like. What does it mean to be grounded and connected to the earth? Play around with this process until you are ready to transition to finding your wings. Go outside and watch a bird dance in the wind, if possible, to start. If not, that is okay. Then explore your dreams. What gives you life? What gives you hope? What do you enjoy giving to the world? What would you like to explore? Do some art or journaling. Next combine them together. Play with feeling your roots and wings and how they show up in your life and the world. Focus on the integration rather than how they may feel different. Well worth the journey!