Evolved

“As we grow old, the beauty steals inward.”

That is a quote by Ralph Waldo Emerson. It accompanies a picture of a tree titled “Evolved” in Joan’s book, PersonaliTrees: Let the Human Spirit Awaken in the Presence of Trees. The tree has a stong — but not straight — trunk, and appears to have weathered and withstood more than a few trying seasons. Its unique beauty becomes apparent if we allow our perception to absorb the decades of spiritual strength this tree exudes, and is trying to share with us. If you think of it today (or tomorrow or the day after) take a moment to appreciate a human being who has evolved in such a way. Do some small nice thing without their even knowing about it. You may not know him or her; you may not even have occasion to have have a conversation with them. But having appreciated them, your spirit will be lifted in a very real way.