Saturday, May 21, 2022

Beauty in Diversity

In the Catholic Peace Weekly, a university professor of forestry gives the readers some thoughts on the feelings that come in a forest.

The forest gives us beauty in any season, but the forest at this time of year is wonderful and mysterious, truly enchanting. When spring energy begins, the forest begins to find full vitality as the yellow flowers of the cheery and ginger appear. From this moment on, he experiences the forest with passion and focus.

The one-syllable word forest presents us with many meanings and emotions. Just listening to it is soothing. Whether in the East or the West, if you look for the first feeling or word that comes to mind when you hear the word ‘forest’, there are many positive expressions such as ‘God/Creator’, ‘Hometown’, ‘Mother’, ‘Mother’s womb’, and ‘Pure’. Of course, it is sometimes expressed as ‘darkness’ or ‘fear’.

Why do we yearn for forests so much, have positive feelings about them, and actually find comfort in them? The answer can be found in our human history and the relationship with forests. Our ancestors lived millions of years within forests and thousands of years ago began forming societies after leaving the forests.

Therefore, almost all of our history is a history with forests and the genetic design that relies on forests as our hometown remains the same for us living in the modern age. For this reason, exhausted from rapid industrialization and urban life, we have a warm spot for forests and long for them.

After Easter, the green forest begins to grow darker, and the trees and grasses in the forest show off their beauty with colorful flowers. Azaleas, start to bloom in the south, followed by flowers such as wild cherry, royal azalea, and the wild pear begin blooming one after another. After a while, the acacia tree will bloom and fill the forest with its unique scent.

The singing of the birds couldn't be more exciting than at this time. Spring is the season to find a mate, so the birds of the forest show off their abilities to the fullest with their singing. "Since I am cool and capable, this is a proposal to pair up with me". Some even go to special lengths to entice with their song.

Forests are not just trees and grass. Numerous wild animals, birds, insects, and mushrooms are also proud owners of the forest. Countless microorganisms are invisible to our eyes. They also do their job in the forest to maintain the ecosystem. The word 'eco' in 'ecology' is a Greek word meaning 'family'. Everything in the forest works for each other as members of a family, the ecosystem is what influences each other.

A forest harmonizes by properly utilizing the individual natures of each member, building up the  beauty of the whole. Wisdom we need to learn from the forest. Unlike our society, which compels us to join the mainstream, the forest silently allows all members to be what they are. Although it is still cold, some trees show impatience to bloom before the leaves appear, and some trees do not budge even though they are all in bloom. He dreams of a world where everyone is recognized and valued so that they can show their God-given characteristics and talents.