The Redwood Trees

We were visiting the Muir Woods close to San Francisco. The trip was for the purpose of celebrating my aging yet another year. While there, I observed a young boy looking amazedly at the many age rings of a fallen great redwood tree. The sign beside the tree indicated that it was hundreds of years old. When the boy read that sign, he turned to his dad and said, "Wow Dad, that tree is old, just like you!" Some say that right or wrong, perception is reality… As I walked through the forest, I found myself engulfed by the beauty, size, and strength of these quiet giants. I also realized how insignificant I felt in their presence. I thought about how I, so many times, get caught up in what I perceive to be all encompassing problems and stressors. Things that cause me to focus on myself and my situation. I realized that in doing so, I lose perspective of the bigger picture and purpose of my life. While I am sure that I would seem ancient to the young boy at the fallen tree, the fact is that I have a decision to make about how I choose to live each day of my life. I can focus inward, or I can choose to strive to invest in those around me. We live in a world full of opportunities to give and to serve. However, when our perception is that the world revolves around us, we lose our ability to lead effectively. Choose to live and lead in the reality that we are here not for ourselves, but to influence those around us, and you will make a difference!

Dr. Larry Little, CEO