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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

by Tyler Perry on September 11, 2012.

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  • Cindy B Hawaii

    Wow.... Powerful stuff!

    Reply
  • Mary T (Well said)

    Tyler so true. Another thing, haing leaves or branches in your life will keep you humble, and Very Thankful You Have Those Roots There In The Mist Of Life Storms. GOD (Root, Keeper, Saviour, King, Friend, Faithful, Everlasting and the list go on and on............. :) CAN YOU STAND THE RAIN. WE CAN. LOVE YOU BACK>>>>>>>>>> HOW ARE YOU DOING TYLER FOR REAL. JUST KNOW THAT YOU ARE NOT ALONE, BY NO MEANS WE ARE HERE, AND MOST OF ALL THE FATHER ( GOD) WILL ALWAYS BE. NOW YOU GO HAVE YOURSELF AN AWESOME WONDERFUL GOD BLESS DAY. I MEAN IT!!!!!!!!!

    Reply
  • Kahlil White Leesburg,Florda

    Thank you Mr.Perry i needed this!

    Reply
  • Jennifer Smith Pembroke Pines, Florida

    Tyler, thank you for your wisdom of inspiration. Gratefully received. Jennifer, Detour Project

    Reply
  • Ntsako South Africa

    Thanks so much for this message..

    Reply
  • Shamera Lawrence Dallas, TX

    Great illustration Mr. Perry. I am the leaf and the branch, and God is my root. I cannot plant myself, I have to remain connected to the true vine. Therefore my leaf shall not whither if I continually meditate on the law of the Lord. Jer 23:5 reads, "Behold the days are coming says the Lord that I will raise to David a Branch of righteousness; a King shall reign and prosper." John 15:5 reads "“I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing." I will forever remain connected to God's vine, so that I can be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, bringing forth fruit in its season, its leaf shall not whither and whatever they do shall prosper.

    Reply
    • Shareka Smith Pembroke Pines, Florida #1739810

      Happy to read such uplifting, educational words.

      Reply
  • Glenda Michigan

    Thanks Tyler for posting this. I am a root person, but it's time to break free and rid a few branches out of my life. Some people can cling so close, but for selfless reasons are not there for support or to work through rough times. Like you said... can't be mad at them, it's just who they are.

    Reply
  • Irene, Philadelphia

    I am a strong root person, who has many branches and leaves on my tree. I am a giver, a nurturer, a person of service and a person someone can count on. Although I am a "behind the scenes" type of individual, I found that over the years, I have held myself back from pursuing certain goals in my life, knowing full well that I am capable and able. But by the Grace of God, I know I can do whatever i want or need to be without any regrets. God has opened my eyes, mind and heart that says "YES I CAN" despite any road blocks that may get in my way. He has a plan for me and the only thing for me to do is be patient, wait and press on. I cannot speak of how other see me, I can only say that by his or her actions, I believe that they take comfort in being around me.

    Reply
  • Patsy aka Stormy013 Northampton, MA

    I am a root person. Getting thrown out in the streets at 15 yrs old & having to work 2 plus jobs to raise my son alone ( that I had at just turned 19yrs old) I have leaf & branch people around me as I only have 1 root person ( for 40 years). I just received a nice Godly letter from him in prison. When I was 16 yrs old he looked out for me, actually we looked out for each other. I have also heard there are season people somewhere prior. Maybe I shall find more root people in my life ( who knows at this age?) only God knows what He has in store for me. I was told I was like the tree in Psalms ( something) no matter what storm I weathered ( there was many) I still stood strong. Also 1 winter I saw the most beautiful full blown rose sitting in the snow. I went to go & ck it out further to see if it was a plastic or real one. It was real. And I was compared to that rose, as well, no matter how fragile roses are this one endured a heavy snow storm & still stood standing in it's beauty. God bless!

    Reply
  • jgunprodigy Orlando, FL

    Amen! I'm surrounded by Roots and my Roots are strong! You just made me have a flash, Alex Haley, "Roots."

    Reply
  • De USA

    I know <who> what kind of person I am...And I thank "God" for it. ;-) <3

    Reply
  • Leslie Md

    Wow! Thank you Tyler

    Reply