Thank God for your roots in life!

I’ve often mentioned, and written, that I wake up early every morning and one of my morning rituals is listening to motivational speeches. Whether it be inner strength, inner success, business success, business/personal finances, or Christian and spiritual well-being … it all goes hand in hand.
One of my favorite things to do is learn people’s life story. So many of the “rich and famous” people we read and hear about didn’t just become famous overnight. No – they worked for it; and they worked HARD for it. Learning of their life story and struggles brings in to point that we all have to work hard, every single day, to accomplish what we want in life.
One life story I have always enjoyed listening to, and encourage others to listen to, is Tyler Perry. Most people know Tyler Perry for his alter-ego Mama Madea, but what they don’t know is he was once a minister and went to seminary to pursue his love and passion of preaching. But, he says God later revealed to him that his ministry would not be behind the pulpit. In fact, Mama Madea is Tyler Perry’s “ministry” and his way of getting his life lessons across to the public, in a way most preachers are not able to. Mama Madea is often teaching the same exact things that Tyler lived in his childhood, adolescent and young years of life.
One of Mama Madea’s extraordinary speeches is the lesson of friends, using the tree analogy. This tree parallel has been retold by motivational speakers world-wide.
One of my very best friends texted me last week, with the words, “Thank you for being my root and always believing in me, even when I don’t believe in myself,” along with a YouTube clipping of one Mama Madea’s speeches on friendship. To say that is one of the greatest compliments someone can give you, is an understatement.
How we move through life, how we treat others, and how others treat us affects us all. We all have to learn our own life’s lessons the hard way (unfortunately).
As you walk through life, and choose who you walk with, keep this in mind.

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The Tree Analogy of People
By: Tyler Perry

I have this tree analogy when I think of people in my life, be it friends, family, acquaintances, employees, co-workers, whomever...They are all placed inside what I call my tree test. It goes like this:

LEAF PEOPLE:
Some people come into your life and they are like leaves on a tree. They are only there for a season. You can't depend on them or count on them because they are weak and only there to give you shade. If the wind blows, they blow one way. If the wind shifts, they blow the other way. They are unstable; and like leaves, they are there to take what they need and as soon as the season changes or a storm blows in your life, they are gone. You can't be angry at them, it's just who they are. They were put on this Earth to just be a leaf.

BRANCH PEOPLE:
There are some people who come into your life and they are like branches on a tree. You have to be careful with the branches though, they will fool you. They are stronger than leaves and they will stick around through most seasons, but if you go through a storm or two, in your life, it's possible that you could lose them. Most times they break away when it's tough. You think they are a good friend and they are good and strong, but the minute you need them and step out there on them, they will break and leave you high and dry; because in most cases they can't handle too much weight. But again, you can't be mad with them, it's just who they are.

ROOT PEOPLE:
If you can find some people in your life who are like the roots of a tree then you have found something special. Like the roots of a tree, they are hard to find because they are not trying to be seen. Their only job is to hold you up and help you live a strong and healthy life. If you thrive, they are happy. They stay low key and don't let the world know that they are there. And if you go through an awful storm, they will hold you up. Their job is to hold you up, come what may, and to nourish you, feed you and water you.

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If you can find two or three people in your life, that are like the roots at a bottom of a tree, then you are blessed; because that’s the kind of people that are not going anywhere! A tree can have thousands of leaves and hundreds of branches, but it only needs a few roots to live and thrive in life.
When you find your roots in life – hold on to them - and the rest of them – just let them go!
But, don’t forget to make sure to look at your own life. How many leaves, branches and roots do you have? What are you in other people's lives?
Take the time to thank God for your roots!
And take the time to be a root!