Trees that strive for sunlight when they are young outlive the ones that get ample sunlight. This is backed by research done by a German forester Peter Wohlleben.
Forest floors are dark. Young trees surrounded by giants never get enough sunlight. They grow very slowly. But it makes the tree trunk strong and dense to fight diseases and fungus. Strength allows them to grow taller and withstand the wrath of high-speed winds. The fall of the old and lofty gives way for further growth.
The ones that are planted in open spaces (with all the good intentions) grow much faster than the ones in the forest. They thrive in the early years. But later in life, they develop a porous structure that lacks strength and density.
This could be a good parable for all of us who resolve to change on the eve of every new year. Then give up because we don’t see results. Change is a multiyear project. Quick results are not sustainable. Rapid weight loss and subsequent relapse is a good example.
As Peter Senge known for his systems thinking approach beautifully puts it ” The easy way out usually leads back in”
Happy New Year!!
One minute notes 