If you are a gardener or farmer you probably know very well how to take care of trees. In the past few years I’ve learned how to take care of trees too. I never knew how important it was or really understand why we had to do so much to have a healthy tree or garden. I just thought water and sun was enough, I’m sure for some trees and plants that’s all you need but in order to have a beautiful strong healthy-looking plant and/or tree we need to put some TLC into it. I learned it starts with the soil, so questions that would arise were how healthy was the soil, why types of vitamins, minerals and/or nutrients are in it or are we putting into it, and lastly, how much water and sun is it getting. So, I guess it’s safe to say water, sun and nutrient rich fertilizer is a great way to plant and weekly/daily maintenance to keep it growing stronger. In my experience with gardening and talking about gardening, I have learned many people know and would do these exact things to keep their gardens good. Now, the people I know personally that I saw garden are either over weight or have major health issues. I’m not judging here, I can assure you that I have a point for saying these things. I know some people can’t help it because they are lost and don’t know where to start when it comes to health, or don’t have the time or patience, or they simply do not care. The reason why I am mentioning these things is because I learned a great analogy from a book I read by a cardiologist Dr. Mimi Guarneri of how we should think of our bodies as trees.
This doctor had a conversation with one of her patients that I think is worth sharing. She starts out by saying when it comes to the prevention and treatment of disease, nature provides the best solutions. She goes on and says “I’m not against medicine, there’s a time and a place for medicine. Medication is good for acute care, but may not be the best for chronic health problems.” She asked one of her patients If he had a tree and the leaves on his tree were sick what would he do? He responds by saying that he would water the tree, check the soil, make sure it’s getting enough sunlight, add fertilization and strengthen the soil. So, the doctor responds by telling him that HIS tree was sick, and drew a few leaves on a piece of paper so he would understand. She labeled them Diabetes, heart disease, heart burn, high blood pressure. And explained that western medicine starts with the leaves. She says “We go right up to the leaves, name them and go for a medication or surgery, leaves are cut off, they are bypassed or their medicated.” He seemed to understand, but she offered him a different solution. She said to think about this: “remember what you said about the sick tree? what if we look at your soil, and she goes on to explain we all have a soil in which we live in and if you take a minute, think of yourself as a tree that has a few health challenges. You might be able to label some of the leaves of your tree— as “depression,” “diabetes,” “high cholesterol,” or “heartburn.” Some people have many sick leaves. She told him to imagine that the trunk of his tree is his genes—his genetic makeup. Then she adds think about what makes up the soil because at the end of the day what determines whether we have healthy or sick fruit is a very special interaction between our genes and our environment, and the soil is the environment in which we live.
She goes on and told him to think about those important ingredients in the Soil. They are things like macronutrition, like what kind of protein do you eat? What kind of carbohydrates do you choose? Do you eat good fats or bad fats? Or What about our Micronutrition: things like vitamin D, zinc, and selenium. These are all part of our soil. The human body also needs Clean air and clean water. Our soil is also going to be affected by our Physical activity: Do we walk every day? Do we have a formal exercise program? This is a key component to our soil, but it doesn’t stop there. Our soil is even affected by whether or not we have Sound sleep at night. And our soil is affected by Environmental toxins. All of these things interact with the trunk of our tree with our genome and determines if our leaves are sick or healthy. But it doesn’t stop there. Those are just components of the physical body; our soil has other components that are equally important: How we live our lifestyles. How are we doing emotionally, mentally, and spiritually? Are we angry or hostile? Do we believe in a higher power? So, when I look at my soil, I have to look at all of these areas. Because we know that the physical aspects of healing cannot be separated. All of this makes up our soil and determines whether we get sick or whether we stay well. She goes on and says I’ve spent many years stenting the branches of my patient’s tree, I now know we have a better way. And she ends it with the best way to heal your tree is by strengthening your soil. However, not everyone needs the same things. Some people need nutrition while others need exercise—and perhaps others need to reduce the amount of stress they have.
This analogy is a good way to look at ourselves, I think we should compare ourselves to how a tree should grow. Her patient knew how to take care of the tree but didn’t know how to properly take care of himself. I think it’s good to use these analogies these days because many people have hard times understanding things because of the lifestyles we live today. Because of the medications there are a lot more people these days that are confused and/or don’t have the confidence or will power to want to make that change towards better health. I believe if we stay in God’s word and trust him we can get through these problems that we seem to can’t get out of. When we trust in God he will make our minds clearer to understand that we aren’t destined for doom like our past generations. We can actually change our genes.
I’ve read many studies, heard from many doctors on how we can change and/or avoid the same diseases or problems that run in our families. The number one thing is the lifestyle we live which includes diet and exercise. Here is an example, if all of your family generations have a history of heart disease, obesity, eye problems, and they all have been eating the same way of the same unhealthy processed sugary foods from generation to generation then odds are they will keep getting the same health problems. But if one generation steps in and changes the cycle from processed unhealthy foods and starts cooking fresh healthy whole foods with exercise they will have healthier lives and will then teach their kids and the cycle will finally be broken. I remember when I first heard about that, I was like wow! That totally makes sense! I don’t think we should start cutting off body parts like Angelina Jolie did because our mothers or fathers had cancer, we just need to change our lifestyles.
I found the best way to start off anything, especially our days is with God. As it says in Proverbs 3:13-23 “Happy is the man that findeth wisdom, and the man that getteth understanding. For the merchandise of it is better than the merchandise of silver, and the gain thereof than fine gold. She (wisdom) is more precious than rubies: and all the things thou canst desire are not to be compared unto her. Length of days are in her right hand: and in her left-hand riches and honor. Her ways are ways of pleasantness, and all her paths are peace. She is the tree of life to them that lay hold upon her: and happy is everyone that retaineth her. The Lord by wisdom hath founded the earth; by understanding hath he established the heavens. By His knowledge the depths are broken up, and the clouds drop down the dew. My son, let not them depart from thine eyes: keep sound wisdom and discretion: So shall they be life unto thy soul, and grace to thy neck. Then shalt thou walk in thy way safely, and thy foot shall not stumble.”
I love the book of Proverbs, I encourage everyone to read it Chapter 3 is one of my favorite chapters. This chapter basically tells you how great wisdom and understanding is. I really believe it’s a gift from God, I personally think he gives it to us when he knows we are serious and ready. And what a wonderful gift to have!
Ellen White explains it very well. “True wisdom is a treasure as lasting as eternity. Many of the world’s so-called wise men are wise only in their own estimation. Content with the acquisition of worldly wisdom, they never enter the garden of God, to become acquainted with the treasures of knowledge contained in His holy Word. Supposing themselves to be wise, they are ignorant concerning the wisdom which all must have who gain eternal life. They cherish a contempt for the Book of God, which, if studied and obeyed, would make them truly wise. The Bible is to them an impenetrable mystery. The grand deep truths of the Old and New Testaments are obscure to them, because spiritual things are not spiritually discerned. They need to learn that the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and that without wisdom, their learning is of little worth.
Those who are striving for an education in the sciences but who have not learned the lesson that the fear of God is the beginning of wisdom, are working helplessly and hopelessly, questioning the reality of everything. They may acquire an education in the sciences, but unless they gain a knowledge of the Bible and knowledge of God, they are without true wisdom. The unlearned man, if he knows God and Jesus Christ, has a more enduring wisdom than has the most learned man who despises the instruction of God.
The wise man says that wisdom’s “ways are ways of pleasantness, and all her paths are peace.” Many cherish the impression that devotion to God is detrimental to health and to cheerful happiness in the social relations of life. But those who walk in the path of wisdom and holiness find that “godliness is profitable unto all things, having promise of the life that now is, and of that which is to come.” They are alive to the enjoyment to life’s real pleasures, while they are not troubled with vain regrets over misspent hours, nor with gloom or horror of mind, as the worldling too often is when not diverted by some exciting amusement. Godliness does not conflict with the laws of health, but is in harmony with them. Had men ever been obedient to the law of ten commandments, had they carried out in their disease that now floods the world would not be. One whose mind is quiet and satisfied in God is on the highway to health.”
These are the 8 laws of health, if we follow these I believe we be able to live healthy lifestyle. Did you notice most of these laws are also ways to take care of a tree?
- Fresh Air
- Sunshine
- Temperance
- Rest
- Exercise
- Water
- Nutrition
- Trust In God
In conclusion, we should always be willing and able to want to change our lives for the better. Eat healthy, exercise and focus on the good things of life. Ask God for help taking care of your tree so you can become healthy and strong. We all deserve to be happy. Love yourself enough to want a better life and to have eternal life with our God in paradise. 😊
Obedient Lifestyle 
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