Measuring Life in Trees

© 2013 Peter Free

 

30 June 2013

 

Digging through soil horizons

 

When we are young, we can plant a residential landscape with hope that we will see its maturity.  Yet, moving homes constantly, as I did as both child and military spouse, meant that I have never seen one of the trees I planted grow, even into adolescence.

 

Now that I am elderly, I look at potential homes and recognize that I will be pretty much stuck with the choice between leaving its landscape infrastructure alone, removing parts of it, or planting a needle and leaf replacement, which — even if fortunate — I will never see beyond the toddling stage and into the biosphere contribution that I had envisioned.

 

With age, hope’s field of opportunity narrows.

 

The moral? — Acceptance, resignation, denial — we choose

 

Hence, the cross-philosophical utility of Buddhism’s emphasis on being fully present, now.  And the manifold implications that way of being brings with it.