Trees That Grow

John O'Donohue, Anam Cara: A Book of Celtic Wisdom > Quotes > Quotable Quote

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“People in our hungry modern world are always scraping at the clay of their hearts. They have a new thought, a new plan, a new syndrome, that now explains why they are the way they are. They have found an old memory that opens up a new wound. They keep on relentlessly, again and again, scraping the clay away from their own hearts. In nature, we do not see the trees, for instance, getting seriously involved in therapeutic analysis of their root systems or the whole stony world that they had to avoid on their way to the light. Each tree grows in two directions at once, into the darkness and out to the light with as many branches and roots as it needs to embody its wild desires.”

Prisoners and guards alike are emersed in a world that does not allow for them to practice their humanity. Each day is a struggle for old and new wounds to be opened and produce harm in themselves and others.

Unfortunately, prisons (darkness) are a necessity of our society but so are the places of healing (the light). Please stand with me and be the branches and roots that support both prisoner and Officer alike as they navigate the very difficult circumstances of the criminal justice system.