The Purpose of the Fruit

Dear Collective,

I've been dealing with a lot of noise lately—the stress of the move, the job change, and the general chaos of the holidays piled on top. It’s the kind of pressure that makes you want to act out of character, to snap, or to just hide until January.

But the intention this week is the antidote, and it’s a beautiful one: A plum tree doesn't eat plums, and a pear tree doesn't eat pears. The fruit it provides is designed for others to benefit.

Sometimes, the greatest gifts we possess are not designed for our own consumption. They are meant to be shared. Your gift might not be a physical object; it might be the patience you’ve forged through years of practice, the knowledge you gained from a difficult experience, or the energy you built through disciplined training.

This week, we need to recognize that our best output—our "fruit"—is meant for the community. The chaos we face (the move, the job stress) will try to make us hoard our resources and withdraw. That's natural.

But remember, the tree provides not for itself but instead for what comes along.

Take a breath, center yourself, and choose to share the gift you possess. It proves that your character is not dependent on comfortable external circumstances but on the principles you choose to live by.

With Strength and Kindness,

Charlie