Life’s fast, and getting faster. This was no more evident during the Beaufort Street Festival where standing still proved somewhat problematic, as the crowd surged on to secure a spot at the next performance. In amongst the throng was an innocent looking tree. While most people passed it by a lucky few stopped for a moment, and like me, were taken to a totally different place of pondering.
 |
|
© The Ponder Room
|
Not only did this one tree provide a beautiful message, its presence reminded me of just how much we miss by constantly rushing onto the next thing. How much we miss by not taking time to live in the moment, and appreciate what’s right in front of us, be it family, friends, or just a single tree.
The tree had been wrapped in material and hanging from its limbs were messages.
First glance had me pondering, ‘what a great piece of community art’, but it was only after reading the messages that the heart behind them really hit home.
The messages were thanks from the people of Japan. They were thanking us for our well wishes during the 2011 earthquake. Some contained simple messages others drawings or origami. Here’s a sample along with what it left me pondering …
 |
|
© The Ponder Room
|
 |
|
© The Ponder Room
|
 |
|
© The Ponder Room
|
 |
|
© The Ponder Room
|
As the messages swayed freely in the breeze, not a worry in the world I pondered:
-
You don’t have to run an expensive marketing campaign to get a message out into the community or indeed the world. You don’t even have to use a computer, facebook, twitter, or a blog … pen, paper and a tree will do;
-
How wonderful the global community is in times of despair;
-
How great it is to live in an era when it’s so easy link with others around the globe;
-
But how easy it is to move on in our own fast paced lives, and forget about what others are still going through;
-
How fortunate we are to live in Australia.
Recent events in Japan this week have made these messages even more poignant. Although only a small gesture, hopefully this post will make its way back to Japan, and let them know of our appreciation for their messages of thanks, and more importantly to pay it forward and send them hope for the coming days.
