Thursday, April 26, 2012

Backyard Trees & Thoughts

I had mentioned our backyard trees to my friend Victoria (of The Dreaming Palette) yesterday and she said I should take pictures sometime. So, that's what I did this morning. 
In our rather small backyard we have nine large trees. It was hard taking photos because I can't get enough distance to capture all of them. 
I love how this one tree was incorporated into the back porch! 
Probably because of the trees (two large pines and seven oak trees), we have amazing wildlife in our small backyard. 
All those birds I have shown you in earlier posts, plus toads, frogs, snakes, lizards, salamanders, squirrels, opossums, and raccoons.  And probably some mice we don't usually see... Also, because the trees are very tall, there is a whole community of birds in the tree tops that we never see in our yard. We often hear green herons somewhere in the trees, but very rarely can spot them. The same with the pileated woodpeckers.
I love sitting outside and looking up into the trees, contemplating "stuff"! In fact, it's one of my very favorite things to do! 
And this morning I was contemplating something that's been on my mind lately that I've been wondering about. It's our notion that we have to do everything by ourselves in life and how hard it is to accept anything from others. 
I know quite a few people (I'm not talking about any of you here, but I am including myself as this has been true for me at times) who would do anything for others, but have a hard time if anything done for them that isn't "paid for." Do you know what I mean? We've become so insular and I think many people have so much stress in their lives because they cannot allow others to help in any way.

And then I wonder if you can really truly know the gift of giving to someone (a true gift - no strings attached) if you cannot allow a gift to be given to you? I think giving and receiving are two sides of the same coin and you cannot know the one without knowing the other.
I have come to no conclusions, but I have this feeling that learning to receive is just as important as learning how to give. And for all of our talk of community, that seems to only go so far. Is it fear? Is is pride (shame)? Is it feeling like a failure? Probably all of those. And that makes me a little sad.

How much do we miss out on because we cannot accept a gift? Maybe it's that we believe we aren't worthy. Or that what we have to offer in return isn't as valuable as what we receive. I'm not sure.

I should say, too, that I've experienced all of this with every range of emotion, which is why this occupies my thoughts...

I know I'm not being super clear here, but do you have any thoughts about this?

19 comments:

  1. It's humility. To be able to accept your current position in life and accept the help that The Lord is sending through the hands and actions of His people. "Humble thyself in the sight of The Lord." But I know this well, the road to humility is filled with humiliation! Now I must go back an enlarged your beautiful photos! **kisses** Deb

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    1. Humility is hard, isn't it? And I think it is so ingrained in us that we must do for ourselves. Anything else fills us with shame. I have experienced this as well... Sometimes it took real courage to accept a gift! Hugs, Silke

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  2. P.S. I would like to live in your backyard wild life center.

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  3. Liebe Silke,

    WUNDERVOLL.

    Sonnige Grüße

    Elisabeth

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    1. Liebe Elisabeth,

      Sonnig ist es hier wirklich und heute ganz sommerlich in den Temperaturen! Ich geniesse es!!

      Liebe Gruesse,
      Silke

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  4. Hi Silke.
    I love your trees. When we lived in SC, we had many tall trees in the backyard. I miss them ~ they were magestic and beautiful. We have the woods right next to us here which I love, but we have planted many trees in the yard ~ they can't grow fast enough for me, but I am enjoying them in their current state.

    Silke, when speaking of those in need, I think in many cases it is a matter of pride. Some people have a difficult time "receiving" for fear they will be looked upon with pity. Being able to receive gratiously is a gift in itself.

    Enjoy that beautiful backyard. Someday, when I visit my son in Charleston, I might make a run to your area and give you a call. I would love to have some good southern iced tea and share thoughts.
    ♥ audrey

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    1. Oh, yes, let me know when you are in Charleston next - it would be so much fun to meet in person and talk!!! xoxo Silke

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  5. Oh yes, I've given a lot of thought to this, and what always comes to mind is the Bible verse at Acts 20:35. In part it says: "...you must...bear in mind the words of the Lord Jesus, when he himself said, 'There is more happiness in giving than there is in receiving.' " ... So, people just prefer to keep the happiness to themselves is all! ^_^ Receiving gifts isn't as 'happy-inducing'!...But to be fair, those receiving should think about the happiness they can bring to others by being a gracious gift receiver too. Maybe that could change some meeting of the minds. :-]

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    1. That's what I was thinking, Deb, we all know about the joy of giving, but if there weren't anyone to receive, that joy wouldn't be there... I think balance is probably the key! :) xoxo Silke

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  6. Wow..oh my gosh Silke..thankyou for sharing your magnificent trees...you are so lucky..such gorgeous souls...they are totally beautiful..blisssful and boy you have captured some truly magical shots..love love love!(thankyou for the kind mention of me..hugs, thankyou!)
    I love what you wrote....for me..I believe in the power and spirit of abundance..and the natural flow of that current..both giving and recieving are like inbreath and outbreath..both valuable, healing and beautiful..and both are to be honored. and I also honor the act of sharing and connection..truly sharing means we not only share but allow others to share with us too..and I honor that..we each are valuable..and our offering..big or small is to be treasured!and if it comes in the form of "help" as you shared..we should honor that too. I honor the divine flow in whatever form or gift it comes...it is all creation....and I want to be part of the flow of creation and the spirit of love!
    Beautiful insights..
    hugs
    Victoria
    PS: you totally made my day! Hug those trees for me!

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    1. Oooo, I love that - inbreath and outbreath. That's what I was trying to say. It's all one and the same... Hugs, Silke

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  7. Maybe who has difficulties in accepting something done for or given to them without "payment" simply lacks some good, old, healthy egoism.
    I am a confessing full-time egoist and have not the slightest qualm in accepting gifts, invitations or help in any form - as long as it is not totally unnecessary (as for "stuff" I neither need nor like, offered as gifts, or help with something I am very well capable of doing on my own).
    It should be in balance, how much we give to others (of our time, energy and/or money) and how much we accept.

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    1. Yes, I totally agree! I think it takes a good and healthy sense of self to be able to give and receive in balance! xoxo Silke

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  8. Is that Saint Anthony in one of your trees?

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    1. That is Saint Francis in our tree - the watches over the wildlife! We got him for our wedding some 22 years ago and he has watched over every one of our gardens... :)

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  9. I can say that the gifts given to me last fall by the oaks in a park just down the street have been well recieved. These gifts are now germinating and someday, with a little luck, will hopefully be as magnificent as those that grow in your backyard.:)

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    1. Mr. H.

      How great to hear from you!! Yes, the gifts of Mother Nature are the best!! I love our oaks - this morning they brought us entertainment in the form of baby finches trying to land on one of the branches...

      Hope you and Mrs. H. are doing well!! xo Silke

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  10. Nine huge trees in a small backyard? Wow! It seems like you have a little forest out there. I hope the little wildlife doesn’t pose a threat to your home. Although, I have to agree that it looks like a good place to sit and contemplate on life. The atmosphere is certainly quite relaxing.

    Richard Smith @ Bay Area Tree Specialists

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