Picture by Author, Debbie Dunn

April 25, 1999
White Dogwood Tree on Laurel Falls Hike in Great Smoky Mountains

Let your heart not be troubled. Do not let yourself walk the path of fear that such as happened at the Columbine High School will happen at your school. The thirteen who died were martyrs of peace. Those thirteen were sacrificial lambs on the altar of peace for that event will act as a catalyst to galvanize the entire country to be ever more vigilant on how we deal with young people today. It was truly a wake-up call. Their funeral shrouds will be the banner-flag around which people will rally. “Take back our schools. Make them safe for all.” No more can adults go sleepwalking throughout the day, complaisantly believing that they can teach in the old way and domineer in the old way. Teachers need to vigilantly guard their words and practices. Are they treating their students, fellow teachers, and administrators with respect? If not, then are they truly deserving of the respect they have grown to expect? Are they setting a good example for the impressionable students who walk through their doors? Are they tolerating or ignoring disrespect and put-downs between students? Wake up! Be ever vigilant! No, you cannot control or change your fellow teachers; however, you can “walk your talk” and model a loving and respectful way of dealing with students. You can stand out, like the white dogwood flower against the bright blue sky, and set an example of a more peaceful, loving, respectful way to act. Walk with great intention and integrity throughout your day. The Golden Rule continues to be ever more meaningful for all people. Embrace peace! Celebrate truth! LOVE!!!

Picture by Author, Debbie Dunn 

April 25, 1999
My Back Yard: Dead Dogwood Tree on Left;
Living Dogwood Tree on Right

Here you are returned, safe in your own back yard. Your trips to broaden the size of your back porch have been most successful thus far. Much you have learned and much you have yet to learn as you continue this journey, this process to expand your view of and enjoyment of the beautiful world God has created. All of nature holds great stores of wisdom ever available to open eyes and receptive ears and hearts.

Often you have sat and studied us. You briefly consider the possibility of requesting that the dead portion of the White Dogwood be cut down. But then you recalled that we make an easy passageway for squirrels and other creatures. You also were correct that to cut us down prematurely could injure the healthy portion of the tree that still buds and blooms and fills the air with our special scent. Let us fall down in our own good time. We sink lower month by month. But our time has not yet come to be removed. Plus, you and others have not yet gained by reading our complete message to mankind. Our message and our wisdom is the following: This tree can be likened to the left and right brain. Those who are only left-brained, listening only to logic and intellect, are dead to feeling and emotion. Those who are only right-brained, operating strictly from feeling and emotion, but lacking common sense and reason, can look beautiful, but are still lacking. Balance is important. Draw from both sides and resources so as to be and act as a whole, complete, more actualized person. That is all.

Resources:

Chinese Fortune Cookie

Inspired by Michael J. Road’s book “Talking with Nature: Sharing the Energies and Spirit of Trees, Plants, Birds, and Earth”