Some experiences never get old, growing up, we used to see some trees look like they are dry when it’s hot but they would sooner or later prove themselves to be the opposite once the rains were around the corner. This made it make practical sense and fan when later at school, I learnt that it was just a characteristic of some trees known as deciduous trees.
Little did I know that when I grew up, It would become an experience that would nurture a life principle in me. “There is a time and season for everything”, in fact, even the book I call the Operation Manual for Humans – The bible, clearly states this fact. But trust me, its emphasized better and stronger when one experiences it.
This experience has nurtured me to start preparing for my season, my time and my opportunity. In my home country, we’ve had seasons when the rains have delayed to fall (almost a norm of late), but you know what? The trees and grasses still started ensuring that their green and new leaves are sprouting on them even before the first drop of rains. I was amazed by this when we passed through one of the provinces that is mostly dry as it receives less rains almost every season. The trees and vegetation started changing, in preparation for their season to enjoy some water despite the rains being less as compared to other provinces.
Why do we human beings often become lazy when nothing seems to work as quickly as we want it to? Why do we easily get dissuaded from the necessary preparations simply because there are no immediate incentives being provided? Oh how many of us have lost opportunities to blossom due to our lack of complacent attitude and lack of necessary preparations. How many opportunities have we lost because we did not gain the knowledge, perhaps the skills which would have given us a better chance at opportunities we came across, despite having the privileged to acquire such?
I have come to learn that, opportunities to prepare don’t often return once they by pass you. Find time to learn as much valuable lessons as you can from whoever is around, be it family, friends even strangers. Are you in university and pursuing some courses you don’t like or working in a field you don’t like, at least pick out some skills provided, they might just be what will get you a job or an opportunity to start something you will enjoy some day.
What is before you today is a time to learn and prepare for the uncertain near future. You lose this time now and you will either postpone your success and/or opportunities or fail to attain what you would have. If only you prepared for your time and season.
The bottom line really is that, one needs to brace themselves with information, knowledge and above all skills to grab opportunities and take on challenges that come at the right time and season. Time lost is indeed never recovered. Living with this in mind will help one not to shut down when nothing glitters ahead of life’s curved roads. It’s equally a matter of getting ready for a moment when it’s all dry, dusty and rocky.
You know what? Deciduous trees don’t care whether or not the rains have started, they know their time and season. So, they begin their necessary preparations without hesitation. Off course they pay attention to the movement of water underground through their roots as well as the weather changes through their leaves. Stay attentive, keep your ears to the ground. Don’t sit idle and expect opportunities to fetch you.
In fact, when it begins to rain, the roots get active and tap as much water as they can to feed the entire plant. You can’t afford not to be aware of what is going on around you, not in today’s world, you risk stagnation.
There can never be a worthy excuse for a lack of preparedness. The Trees Know This!
Ecclesiastes 3:1 – 8
ExpeN 