#498: The Lesson of the Palm Tree

A few days ago a neighbor's palm tree crashed to the ground, breaking off about three feet above the ground. At first I thought carpenter ants or termites were the cause. But when I looked at the stump I saw none of them, only the same white/yellowish pulp as on the bottom of the fallen portion.



Today I spoke with a tree specialist who explained that palm trees rot inside and that inner weakness is what causes a palm tree to collapse and die.

That made me wonder about people and how so many seem to have an inner rottenness, a weak inner core filled with hatred. These people do not have a bedrock of morals and ethics to lead them to do what is right and proper. Such an inner weakness does not allow them to relate to others with dignity and respect.

If we were to be able to see inside you, what would we see? A core that is, well, rotten to the core, or one that is solid, filled with love and compassion?

Sure, we all have moments, even days when we do not relate well to people, but over time our inner values become obvious to those with whom we deal day to day.

When you retire to bed tonight, will it be with inner feelings of hope and inspiration, or will it be like my neighbor's palm tree, with a core eaten up by hatred and envy?

The choice is yours, and mine.