A Lesson from the Trees: The Power of Trust and Flexibility in Life’s Storms

Last week, there was a windstorm. It wasn’t just breezy—it was gusty, with winds reaching 50 mph from all directions. Debris was blown every which way around our property. I live in a very forested area with towering trees stretching far into the sky, some standing right next to our house. Right. Next. To. Our. House.

We’ve had an arborist assess them, assuring us they’re healthy and strong. And I want them to be—I love these trees. They provide shade, beauty, fresh air, and companionship. On especially tough days, I’ve been known to hug a tree, and I swear it hugs me back. It’s the closest thing to Mother Nature’s embrace, in my opinion.

But that night, as I watched these massive, beautiful trees sway in the powerful gusts, I wondered: Would the arborist still be so confident if he were here now, rather than on that zero-wind summer day? Would he still trust them? And then the real question arose—do I?

There was one tree in particular that was borderline “questionable.” The arborist assured us it was healthy, but it stands right next to our house, nearly touching the balcony off our primary bedroom. We worried that its roots might damage our foundation as it grew. But the arborist reassured us—this tree had been here long before the house, and its roots were deep.

Still, we debated keeping it due to its proximity to our home, but in the end, we sided with the tree. It’s too beautiful. It was here before us. It deserves to stay.

Since then, I’ve felt a deep connection with this tree. We have a pact, in a way—we protect one another. So, as I stood on my balcony that windy night, staring at its thick, gorgeous trunk just an arm’s length away, I saw it sway. And to get a trunk this thick to sway takes some serious wind—which we had. I had to tap into faith. Faith in that tree (and all the others around me) that they were prepared for this.

And when I really stopped to think about it, they were.

They aren’t young saplings still learning and growing. These are mature, wise trees that have stood the test of time. They know what to do. They are supposed to sway. Standing rigid in a storm would break them. Their roots have had to dig deep into the earth, wrapping around solid basalt rock, holding on with resilience. They’ve done this for years.

We live on a ridge where wind is normal. Gusts up to 50 mph happen only a couple of times a year, but they do happen. These trees grew up in this. Since they were small, their roots have learned to grasp and hold, their trunks have learned to sway and bend. Because of this, they have grown tall and strong.

And so, this brings me to my life lesson from the trees: Trust, Flexibility and Rituals.

1. Trust in Your Strength and Resilience

We must believe in ourselves and our innate ability to survive whatever is troubling us. No matter the challenge, you have overcome every difficulty you’ve faced so far. And this one will be no different. You are prepared for this. You are more capable than you know.

2. Rigidity Will Break You—Flexibility Will Save You

Standing firm in your beliefs is important, but if you refuse to adjust when new information comes your way, you risk breaking. If you can’t adapt, shift, and sway with the storm, you will snap—mentally or physically. Trust that your roots are deep, that you’re standing on solid ground, and that it’s okay to give a little while weathering your storm.

3. Replace Routines with Rituals

Routines can be wonderful, but they can also be restrictive. Structure provides freedom, but it can also create stress. Instead of rigid routines, focus on nourishing rituals. Rituals serve you, enhance your day, and allow room for flexibility.

If a routine starts to feel obligatory rather than helpful, it’s time to adjust. A ritual is adaptable to your season of life, your schedule, and even your mood.

For example:

• Instead of requiring yourself to journal every morning with a specific prompt, allow yourself the flexibility to write freely some days.

• Instead of committing to running for 30 minutes daily, shift to a broader goal of moving your body for 30 minutes—giving yourself the freedom to choose between running, walking, yoga, or whatever feels right that day.

By embracing flexibility, you still prioritize wellness while making space for what your mind and body truly need.

The Trees Remind Us: Stay Rooted, but Learn to Sway

And with that, I thank the trees—especially the majestic one just outside my bedroom—for the lesson last week.

If you are prepared for storms, they will pass with grace rather than tear you down. Life is beautiful, but it will throw curveballs without warning. To navigate them, we must learn how to sway, how to stay flexible while remaining deeply rooted in who we are.

We must never shift too far from our core, but we must also embrace the changing seasons of life. We must know when to hold on tight and when to relax and bask in the sun. Both are critical to growing stronger and navigating this crazy, beautiful, intense, magical journey we call life.