OAK

Good afternoon all of you great business associates of the YAG. I would like to share a thought that came to me this morning in my early morning ponderings. I know this is nothing new and seems so small but I wanted to share it with you all anyway or I was directed to through my personal promptings.

Did you know that the Official National Tree of the USA is the Oak tree? Yes, the Oak Tree is the National tree. Each State has a State tree as well but the Oak is for the United States. The Oak is cherished for its beauty, abundant shade, and top-quality lumber. It is one of the Harwood species of trees. It grows from just a small acorn into a powerful entity whose many branches continue to strengthen and reach skyward with every passing year.

Yes, this Oak came into my mind as I was pondering this morning. Maybe in a different way but none the less it came to me. I was thinking on the commotion going on in the Nation and the World. Wars, threat of war, corruption, controversy everywhere, natural disasters, and on and on.

As many of you know I just came home from an extended trip to India. Oh, and what a wonderful country that is. We were very, very impressed. We saw the extremes from extreme opulent wealth to the poorest of the poor. The constant unorganized commotion of humanity in all its forms.  The clash and collision of traffic, religion, humanity, cultures, survival, commerce, trade, and all of its beauty and ugliness. It was absolutely amazing.

So, in my ponderings about the world and the horrible commotion it seems to be in. And in our own country; the anger, division and disruption we witness every day in our homes through TV, internet and radio. It just seems like nothing will ever get better or solve the issues of the world, nation or anywhere.  I asked myself, what can I do?… I am so small. Keep in mind I just got home from India with 1.3+ Billion people, flying completely around the world, 20,000+ miles….. It seems so large with so many people, cultures and ways of viewing life and how to approach living. How can all these issues and problems be faced or even begin to be resolved? Then it hit me……as small as I am, as small as you are……….it all starts with us.  One Act of Kindness (OAK) What can I do? What can you do? We can all start each day doing One Act of Kindness to someone around us. Like the butterfly affect… If a butterfly flaps his wings in Indonesia it could become a mighty wind in Salt Lake City. One Act of Kindness by you or me or all of us could be the mighty answer to all the world’s problems. But it all starts with us. I challenge you today to do One Act of Kindness to someone today.  OAK

Here is a little poem I found that you may like……..

The Mighty Oak

Stand tall, oh mighty Oak, for all the world to see.

Your strength and undying beauty forever amazes me.

Though storm clouds hover above you.

Your branches span the sky

In search of the radiant sunlight you

Count on to survive.

When the winds are high and restless and

You lose a limb or two.

It only makes you stronger.

We could learn so much from you.

Though generations have come and gone

And brought about such change,

Quietly you’ve watched them all,

Yet still remained the same.

I only pray God gives to me

The strength he’s given you

To face each day with hope,

Whether skies are black or blue

Life on earth is truly a gift.

Every moment we must treasure.

It’s the simple things we take for granted

That become our ultimate pleasures.

-by Kathy J Parenteau

Tell me what you think…….One Act of Kindness could be the answer to many things……

Have a great day and know I think and ponder on you all often.

Spencer Young SR