2 Strategies to survive a storm - the grass and the oak

Two strategies to survive a storm. 

We had a wind storm last night.  We’ve had them before too.  We live on a hill so we HEAR it.  The power is pretty amazing for something you can’t see.  You can’t see the wind but you can see its effects.  We have another storm going on that you can’t see at least not with regular vision.  I wish I had virus vision.  That would be easier. 

I didn’t see this coming, I don’t think most of us did.  How can we weather the storm?  There two ways that I noticed in the wind blowing around us. 

The Grass

The grass survives every wind storm.  I don’t notice much grass blowing around.  It survives the storm because it is flexible.  When the wind blows it moves with it.  It bends down all the way to the ground.  Laying flat if necessary and the wind blows right over. 

That’s one strategy we can use.  Don’t be stuck in our ways, be prepared to change plans, be moveable.  If your job drops you, you pick up another job.  If you have less money you sell things you have to generate more.  Some people are masters of this.  Their life is free flowing, dynamic, and pretty exciting.  Though for some constant change can wear on them. 

The Oak

The Oak has a different plan.  The oak doubles down on strength.  From it’s massive trunk to it’s even more massive connection of roots digging deep into the ground.  It throws branches up high into the air.  The higher they go the harder it is to fight the wind. 

Can the oak fail to survive the storm?  Yes, we have all seen trees taken out when the storm simply gets too big and the winds are too strong.  It can be uprooted, tipped right over roots and all.  You see the big root ball and tons of dirt lifted as the tree goes over.  It can also break.  The trunk of the tree just snaps, roots are still in the ground but the tree has broken above the ground. 

What is an example of an Oak strategy in real life?  First you probably built something bigger than a blade of grass.  You have invested over the long term in getting really good at a given career path.  This is not better or worse than the grass.  It’s just different. 

When you invest yourself like that you may not be as flexible.  If that’s the case you need to Go deep.  You need to have an emergency fund in place.  Live below your means so your roots are strong for the storm.  Invest in the growth no one can see.  They can see the flashy car in the driveway but they can’t see your paid off home.  Make sure you have wiggle room in your life.  Sarah and I have been on a quest to decrease monthly obligations from day one of our marriage.  Paid off all debt (student loan and cars) in 3.5 years.  Then bought a house in our means.  Saved for it and paid it off quickly.  It has helped in the storms of life so far and will help even more in the future. 

An oak surrounded by other oaks increases their strength.  Andrew Boot told me that they considered a forest of trees in the jungle somewhere as the largest single organism because all the roots were interwoven so much that nutrients from one area could feed it all.  Your personal relationships.  The people you hang out with can support you in the storm and you can support them. 

Trust God

In the end no matter how well you build it the storm maybe too powerful and it knocks you down or breaks you.  It doesn’t mean it’s the end.  It’s the end of a life that looks like a grand oak tree standing tall and strong, but this is not the end of the Oak.  It breaks and yet it still grows new shoots reaching for the sky again.  Is re-growing a pain?  Sure, it but it’s the only logical choice.  Even getting pulled up.  I’ve seen many trees most of the way pulled up but with still a few roots in the ground.  They grow in the areas they can and the other areas begin to rot away. 

You have to trust that God has you covered even if it looks different than you were planning. 

I think there is probably a middle ground somewhere between the oak and the grass.  Or at the very least we need to be flexible even if we think we are too strong to be broken.  Because sometimes it still happens.  If you are a person of flexible excitement you can change faster your expectations are likely lower and moldable.  If you are a person of rigid consistency and dedication you can go far but the fall is harder. 

In the end it’s up to you.  Do you dare reach knowing the fall will be more painful?  Do you ride the waves in an excited flow?  It’s mostly a personality thing.  I just wanted to give you some encouragement either way. 

You got this.  Enjoy the ride.  Get back up when you fall.  Failure isn’t permanent.  Trust in the creator of all. 

About the Author:

Jeremy “the tall trainer” Biernat is a Certified Personal Trainer, Certified Strength Coach, has his Bachelors in Exercise Science, and enjoys writing, speaking, and inspiring people online and in person. See his book!  More importantly he is a husband, father, and follower of God. His practice is in upstate NY (Canandaigua) where he works with people in one on one and group sessions to make awesome changes in their lives. He doesn’t do everything perfect, cries in movies, and would love to hear from you. You can contact Jeremy by commenting to this post, emailing [email protected], or calling 1(585)261-0533. 

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