Have you ever really looked at a tree that should not be alive or standing upright? They fascinate me. These trees began their existence in the same manner as all others but survived the many storms of life. They started as single seeds, and decades later, still stand tall and sturdy. They continued to live after volcanic ash and lava covered the ground where they stood majestically rooted in place. If the trees could communicate, they would have incredible stories to tell.

Humans are a lot like these determined trees. Each of us began the same way as every other human being. We have developed, grown, and lived our own unique lives. There is a story behind each living person and thing.

When I snapped these pictures, I felt the trees’ determination. Strength played an important part in their lengthy survival. Your guess is as good as mine as to why these particular trees made it through the storms of life. Was it luck? Personally, I don’t believe luck had anything to do with the resilience of the trees, any more than luck carries a newborn through his or her life to the ripe old age of one hundred. Some may not agree with me, but others will concur wholeheartedly.

A friend of mine told me about a woman she knows who lives with the misshapen, gnarled hands of RA (rheumatoid arthritis). Her hands are not pretty. The fingers point outward, away from her body. Many arthritic lumps and bumps cover her hands. Nevertheless, she paints her long fingernails bright red and wears beautiful rings her fingers. She does not allow the trials in life to take away her JOY. She puts a smile on her face and lives life to the fullest.

~~

I don’t know about you, but I want to be strong, resilient, and determined through every valley and peak in my life. Even on the not-so-good days, I want to transform myself into a positive, JOYous human being. I plan to live JOYfully until I’m a hundred. After all, life is for living.

I hope you join me. Paint your nails red, buy an outlandish tie, dye your hair a new shade, put on your favorite outfit, and stand tall. Make each day a day of JOY for yourself and those around you.