Many who come to me to learn how to write or speak, are a little disappointed when they hear that the gift of being able to write well or speak powerfully comes with a caveat. That you will use this gift to be able to stand tall, stand firm, and very often stand alone.
In a small forest, there lived a majestic oak tree named Olwen. Olwen was known for her strength, beauty, and wisdom. She stood tall and proud, her roots digging deep into the earth, her branches stretching towards the sky.
One day, a group of reeds came to live in the forest. The reeds were thin, flexible, and quick to grow. They would often whisper to each other, "Why does Olwen stand so still? Why doesn't she dance in the wind like we do?"
Olwen heard the reeds' whispers and smiled. She knew that the reeds' flexibility was both a blessing and a curse. They would bend and sway in the wind, but they would also break easily.
Very often when there was an argument among the different trees and plants in the forests, the reeds would sway to this side and to the other side, and no one ever knew which side the reeds were on.
"We are flexible,” they would cry out, and then snigger and laugh at Olwen the oak tree for getting bruised by standing firm to her convictions.
One day a fierce storm swept through the forest. The winds howled, and the rains poured down. The reeds were torn from the ground, their thin stems snapping like twigs.
Olwen, however, stood firm. Her roots held fast.
When the storm passed, the reeds were scattered, broken, and bruised. Olwen, however, stood tall, her leaves rustling in the gentle breeze.
The reeds looked up at Olwen and whispered, "We were wrong to mock your stillness. Your patience and strength have saved you from the storm."
Olwen replied, "My dear reeds, you can stand up to minor conflicts by jumping from one side to another, but when the major storms of life blow, it’s all about being strong. It's about digging in with your deep roots and not flexing in the wind. It's about trusting in your own strength and resilience."
The reeds nodded in understanding. They looked down at their own crushed selves and never laughed at Olwen anymore.
That’s what is expected of all of you who are good communicators, that you don’t sway with the opinions of people. That you don’t become a people pleaser.
What is required of you is to stand tall, firm and very often alone.
Then when the crisis has blown over, and you stand slightly bruised but still strong, the reeds around you, the wishy- washy ones, will understand your strength and know how weak they are!
Stand Like the Oak, don’t sway like a Reed..!
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