I stumbled across  this post by Wayne C. Allen and thought it was very fitting to the Bouncing Back Now community.  Sometimes in life we don’t know where to go or where to look to find strength – yet there are answers.  See what you think.   This passage is posted on http://www.phoenixcentre.com/ site and is taken from Wayne’s book “The Endless Moment.”

The Dream

The story begins with Roberta who is camping out in the woods and is exhausted; she falls asleep and begins to dream. “She was standing by a river in a beautiful valley. Across the river she saw two large pine trees. One was perched majestically upon a rocky ledge. The other was near the water. The trees were talking. To each other, of course, as trees seldom talk to people any more.

The tree on the rocky ledge crowed proudly about the view from the top. About how high he had climbed. How far he could see. The whole world seemed to circle around him. He was busy, busy, busy. He never noticed as cuckoos moved into his branches, weasels dug near his roots, and loons lived in his shadow.

The tree by the river scattered pine cones, provided shelter for the young plants, and spoke quietly of rootedness and deep streams of water. Seemingly alone and lowly, the tree shimmered with peace.

The Storm

As Roberta watched, a wild storm erupted; the raw, elemental power of a world gone mad howled and moaned around her. A deluge of rain fell. The branches of the exposed tree on the rocky ledge seemed to rail against the storm, but soon began to bend and snap. Brittle, breaking bones, like gunshots. They fell to the earth, and were gone.

The tree by the river, sheltered, shed the deluge, and the water nourished the stream.

Then, the wind began to blow. Mightily. The tree on the ledge teetered and rocked. Its roots, with their tentative hold on the thin soil covering the rock, soon lost their grip. With a sound like a sigh, the mighty tree fell, crashing down and into the river. Swept away.

The tree by the river seemed to be waving good-bye with its swaying branches. It stood, buffeted by the wind, but unmoved, its roots deeply embedded in the ground.

The Lessons

• Flexible power is the ability to move smoothly out of the way of life’s buffeting moments.
• Groundedness is the ability to find firm footing, no matter what’s happening externally. It’s All Perspective.”

With special thanks to Wayne C. Allen

How many times in our lives and in our relationship are we not grounded?  How many times have we drifted away from our core values?  How many times are we reaching up for something that isn’t there, but in fact is here?  How many times have you let relationship problems or relationship issues interfere in your life?  Or in your otherwise healthy relationship?

And especially consider these concepts if you are on the brink of breaking up.  And also if you are mending and healing a broken heart.  Ponder.  Consider.  Go deep.  This process can help you to heal.

Your Goal?

Why not make it a personal development goal to explore these themes:

• How can you be more grounded in yourself?
• How can you be more grounded in your relationships?
• How can you be more conscious? How can you be more aware?
• How can you be more flexible?

Think about it.  Then let me know what you think.

Just Say No to the Status Quo^TM

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Donna Marie Thompson, PhD – The Bouncing Back Now Relationship Coach – is a best-selling author, a Certified Professional Coach, a Certified NLP Practitioner, and a Master Practitioner of the Energy Leadership Index. Donna Marie is listed as one of America’s Premier Experts in relationships and personal development. She is the host of the “Bouncing Back Now” show on the Real Coaching Radio TV network and the  “Bounce Back”show on webtalkradio.  Donna Marie is a featured relationship expert panelist on the new Living Consciously series on Denver cable TV.  She has been the special guest on many radio shows and on the Brian Tracy TV Show as seen on ABC, CBS, NBC, and Fox affiliates across the country.  Donna Marie will be showcased on the national TV show “World’s Greatest”  in July 2011 on the ION network.