When Is The Best Time To Plant A Tree?
All of us have different experience in our life journey.
However, it is very common for many to feel that life has passed you by. Your past can seem littered with bad choices and squandered opportunities.
We sometimes feel as we approach the end game, the downward stretch is leading toward an utterly failed life.
It feels like we are being cornered, with no where to go and as we look out the window, we see happy people doing happy things and wondered, what if?
You cannot wish...
There is a Chinese proverb with inspiring wisdom.
“The best time to plant a tree was 20 years ago. The second best time is now.”
Imagine that you have just recently discovered the joys of running. But you're over 40, even 50 (any age, in fact), and there are so many excuses for you not to start running.
Can I find the time to run? There's so much to do? Who am I going to run with? Can I catch up?
You find yourself wallowing in self-pity and envy.
Let me share with you the life of Mr. Chan Meng Hui, affectionately known as "Uncle Chan" in the neighborhood and running circles.
Uncle Chan completed running 101 marathons since he started at the age of 55.
He started off by running short distances of just 100-200m. As he aged, he started training harder and running longer distances to build his stamina.
Eventually, he ran every morning and evening, clocking 10km every weekday. On Sundays, his mileage would increase to 20-25 km.
He ran his first full marathon at age 60 and took part in marathons around the world, in countries like Norway, Japan, China and Switzerland.
He was determined to reach 100. He ran his 100th marathon just after recovering from advanced prostate cancer.
Well, whatever you want to do. Get started.
Forget about everything you have missed and what could have been.
If you wanted to start a business but did not. The best time is now.
Mark Twain shared some insight on that too. He once said that the secret to getting ahead is getting started.
And I agree wholeheartedly.
Remember, in the Lion King, when Simba is moping about the past, and Rafiki hits him over the head with his stick?
Simba says: Ow! Jeez, what was that for?
Rafiki replies: It doesn't matter. It's in the past.
Simba says: Yeah, but it still hurts.
Rafiki continues: Oh yes, the past can hurt. But from the way I see it, you can either run from it, or... learn from it.
Listen, start that project you wished you did.
One more time:
“The best time to plant a tree was 20 years ago. The second best time is now.”
Recent Comments
79
Very inspiring. We need lots of trees.
How simple it is to think it's too late for ........
Thanks for the support and reminder.
Lily 😊
I love that Chinese expression about the best time to plant a tree Stanley. I had a very wise father and I asked him one day when would be the best time for me to start my studies at Uni, should I do it immediately or wait a year. Without hesitation he said 'Yesterday'and he walked off leaving me confused. But by the next day it dawned on me what he was trying to say and I started Uni that year. Jim
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That is a beautiful post. It so designated with me. I do look at the past and all of the opportunities I had to be successful and destroyed them all. I have tried a few times to start a business online and failed. Not this time, I've found WA and feel without a doubt that I will succeed. Never looking back in the past ever again.
Thank you for this, I will be sharing it with my mom today.
Dee
Glad that you can relate to this. Look forward to your success and enjoy the journey.