Maple Fandago

There is a massive Maple tree that shades my house. I am not a fan of this tree in spite of the shade it provides because it is not a strong tree so it often loses branches, some that are large. It also causes the soil under it to be acid so that it is a challenge to grow anything, including grass, under it, not to mention the leaves in the fall. But the thing that really puts it in the category of trees I am not a fan of is the seeds, commonly referred to as ‘helicopters’ around here. This tree drops literally millions of these helicopters every spring, which requires a lot of effort and a few trips up on the roof of the house. But I don’t hate this tree, I don’t think about killing it just because I am not a fan and I don’t ordinarily even talk about this tree, I bring it up today because right now it is in full helicopter mode and today is a rather breezy day so those seeds are flying everywhere. And as those seeds drop from the tree they tend to spin around hence the name helicopter.

I was standing out in the yard, watching these seeds fly around and I decided to try to catch one as it fell. I decided to do this because when I was watching the seeds falling I remembered a story that Joel Osteen told about trying to catch falling leaves while he was out jogging one day. He said the more he tried the less success he had and then when he quit trying and just continued on his run, a leaf just fell right into his hand without any effort on his part whatsoever.

And yes, the exact same thing happened for me; a helicopter would seem to be spinning right into my hand and then abruptly change course so I would miss it. Finally, I just held my hand out and allow a seed to fall into it. Now, that didn’t happen instantaneously, I had to hold my hand out for a couple of minutes, but when I stopped trying to force cooperation, and just allowed, just exercised a bit of patience, I got my helicopter.

I knew that if I just trusted, the supply was definitely there and all I had to do was be there and ready to receive it and voila’ there it was.

While I was waiting for my seed several thoughts occurred to me so I will be posting more about my Maple tree which makes me think maybe I should become a fan-lol.