What Kind of Person Are You?
I said this in a play once as Madea... LOL. But I thought I'd revisit it as Tyler for those of you who may not have heard it :-)
I have this tree analogy when I think of people in my life, be it friends, family, acquaintances, employees, co-workers, whomever...They are all placed inside what I call my tree test. It goes like this:
LEAF PEOPLE
Some people come into your life and they are like leaves on a tree. They are only there for a season. You can't depend on them or count on them because they are weak and only there to give you shade. Like leaves, they are there to take what they need and as soon as it gets cold or a wind blows in your life they are gone. You can't be angry at them, it's just who they are.
BRANCH PEOPLE
There are some people who come into your life and they are like branches on a tree. They are stronger than leaves, but you have to be careful with them. They will stick around through most seasons, but if you go through a storm or two in your life it's possible that you could lose them. Most times they break away when it's tough. Although they are stronger than leaves, you have to test them out before you run out there and put all your weight on them. In most cases they can't handle too much weight. But again, you can't be mad with them, it's just who they are.
ROOT PEOPLE
If you can find some people in your life who are like the roots of a tree then you have found something special. Like the roots of a tree, they are hard to find because they are not trying to be seen. Their only job is to hold you up and help you live a strong and healthy life. If you thrive, they are happy. They stay low key and don't let the world know that they are there. And if you go through an awful storm they will hold you up. Their job is to hold you up, come what may, and to nourish you, feed you and water you.
Just as a tree has many limbs and many leaves, there are few roots. Look at your own life. How many leaves, branches and roots do you have? What are you in other people's lives?
THANK GOD FOR YOUR ROOTS! You may want to call them today or share this message with them and attach your own note saying, "thanks for being my root".
By the way, don't waste your time sending this to a leaf, they won't get it anyway.
Love you,
Tyler
Comments (page 11)
Sheneith Hawkins Dallas,Tx.
It's 8:45A.M. this morning I'm in the car on the way to drop my oldest son off to school. I get a phn call in the middle of my song, its my youngest son(6th grade, 1st few weeks in Middle school) school calling. Keep in mind I dropped him off at his bus pick up for 6:45 A.M. :-) And on speaker she says, he has been in a fight on the bus over some ear phones another male must have pulled his earphones out his ear or something & all the bus driver saw was licks. 3days suspension from school. Did I mention to you this child is accepted into a Law Academy Junior High, I didn't say College, I said Junior High Law Academy. Let me also not leave out that this same son has been one of my biggest challenges every since he entered this world. I'm not even mad today. I'm not hurt, I'm not angry, I'm not even upset! Why? Cause this too shall PASS! I have my reasons for saying this & also seeing it this way. The Principal asked did I wanna come pick him up or just let it start as of tmrrw? This school year is a better year from all previous years, I believe that, already. If u only knew how long & how many days & years I have had to rush to school after getting a phn call. That feeling alone was terrible, hurting, scary, unhealthy. The devil was unaware of the fact that I released that burden, and all the torment that came along with that burden, I dropped it & just let it go. So, as my oldest son & I have gotten this call(on speakers/hands-free) we continue on both in silence. At the same time I couldn't wait to get back here to share this experience with you, TylerP, & what do u know its seconds later & its TylerPerry, the notifications reads, TylerPerry, what kind of person are you. You see Tyler, if the enemy could have taken my son out or me out, he would have done it by now cause its been a ongoing fight since he was an infant. Enough for right now....just know IT'S ALL GOOD! :-) And this TOO shall pass. I wonder what he was put here to do & what's so incredibly special about him. Well, we must wait & see! :-) Oh yeah, thank you for being so rooted! (Big SMILE to you!) You are outstanding & we love you too! I was hoping & trying to wait to your b-day to say, We Love You! :) lol... You're the best & believe me you are the real game changer!!! Yes, you are & don't you ever forget that.
ReplyDream
I will have to read this over and over so I may see all the pearls of wisdom it holds. Nicely said @Tyler
ReplyFrancine Patterson Boston, Massachusetts
It's was strange you would write a message: What kind of person you are? Well I wrote a poem for my grandchildren. "I am your Tree" For every leaf that grow, it's a grandchild for me . "I am your tree". The roots that grow on your tree are my veins, the branches that grow on your tree are my bones and the water that flows through your tree will be my blood. "I am your Tree" For every spring you're born, for every summer you're strong, for every fall you will change, for every winter your are gone. "I am your Tree" No matter how big, small, strong or weak each leaf is a part of me. "I am your Tree" For every sun that shine, I will give you love, for every wind that blow, I will give you strength, for every rain that drop that falls, I will give you shelter, for every night that darkens I will give you comfort. "I am your Tree". For every leaf that grows on me is a precious grandchild for me. " I am your Tree" For all my loving grandchildren, this was truly written by your Nana Francine Patterson To answer your question "What kind of person are you. I would say I'm the whole tree.
ReplyTy Virginia
Hi It is 10:15 am right now. I was actually looking at my emails when your email came through. People similar to trees? Interesting. Well, I'm not a leaf. If I was a branch, I would have given up a long time ago considering what I deal with. I am definitely a root. I credit Jesus and my mother who brought me up to love and fear only God. If it wasn't for the Holy Spirit comforting me through very tough times, I would have quit. Not only that, the word of God is in my heart. I have had to speak life at dark times. That is not easy to do. I believe that hope comes from God. God is the "true vine" according to John 15:1-7. Knowing that God is always there gives me the ability to withstand pretty much anything. I have known the Lord since I was a child. God has never left me. That is why I trust him with my life. I'm thankful for all my "root" family and friends! I still appreciate my leaves and branch too. :-)
ReplyMONICA SMITH Savannah Georgia
Tyler, you have no idea that in so many ways even though I'm older than you, you are just like a father to me! Thanks for being obedient to God and always sharing with us what He shares with you! (The daughter you never met)! Monica!
ReplyLarie Goldsboro, NC
"Don't bother sending this to a leaf, they won't get it anyway..." LOL
Replymonique Netherlands
I think I have something of all!!!!
ReplyDeborah the Netherlands Europe
Thanks Tyler for this leaf message. All leaves are current in my life....except for the rooted leaf...still waiting for him in this life. I am god his beautiful daughter so I am confident that he will come into my life!!!! Love ya
ReplyJeanette Maryland
Good Morning Tyler, Thank you for this message regarding "What Kind Of Person Are You". I'm not going to be modest about this I am a ROOT in other peoples lives but I can't say the same about some of them. I have about seven roots in my life, quite a few branches, and leaves, I don't care to mention. I recall Madea talking about this in the play "Madea Goes To Jail" and I have never forget it. Thank You Tyler for all the wisdom you give and for all the joy you bring into the lives of many. God Bless You and may all of your endeavors be fulfilled. I'm your ROOTED Supporter. Love You, Jeanette
Replyerey01 United States
I consider myself a complete tree. I have learned to be rooted in what I believe is best and right for me although I am continually learning more about this everyday, even through your posts. That also means that when I need to be a leaf in someone's life, I leave - lol, pun intended. There are some people whose trees are so unhealthy that I can't s**** around and watch them waste away. Then, there are times when try as I might to give my strong branches to a another tree/ friend, they don't appreciate it. They carelessly hang on it, ignore it, think that it thinks it's better than their branches and overall, they don't value my extended branches. In those cases, I've learned to take hold of my branches and protect them before they break off or weaken. I still try to nourish other trees in my life unless I see that they want to wither. I try to learn from every situation so my own tree can grow and ultimately, I try to be in the company of trees who want the same kind of air and environment as I do. Thanks for sharing and encouraging us to express ourselves.
Replyerey01 United States #1739327
Not sure why that one word had to be edited. It said that I can't "sit" around...
ReplyKaren Melbourne, Australia
I'm so glad I follow you on twitter Mr. Perry, I've had trouble figuring myself out. I know your not a psychiatrist but I just need help with well, me? I'm not sure who I am. I'm the person, that blames myself when certain things happen. I don't know why? I just do. I've realised I'm very emotional when it comes listening to others hardships, its hard to hide my feelings. The problem is I've been a root for my family for a long time, that I'm slowly becoming a leaf and am becoming a compulsive liar, I'm supposed to be helping them and now I'm blaming them. Why am I becoming a leaf?
ReplyJoy tennessee - currently
I am blessed to have one root person; it isn't many but I thank God for her. I admire you, Tyler. Keep up the good work - keepin' it real. You depict we Christians the way we should be portrayed - as real and gutsy and fallible, not some sappy Billy Graham character or a Left Behind character! Bravo! my brother!
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