Parable of the "useless tree"

Once Lao Tzu was traveling with his disciples, and they came to a forest where they were cutting down trees. Almost the entire forest has already been cut down, except for one huge tree. Lao Tzu asked his students to find out why this tree was not cut down. They asked the woodcutters, and they answered:

- This tree is completely useless. It does not have one straight branch and so many twigs that it is not suitable for making furniture. Its smoke is harmful to the eyes, so it must not be used for firewood either. This tree is useless.

The students retold the words of the woodcutters. Lao Tzu laughed and said:

Be like this tree. If you are useful, you will trim, you will become a piece of furniture in someone's house. Be like that tree, utterly useless, and then you will grow into a mighty tree, and thousands of people will find shade under your branches. Then he explained to them:

be last Don't try to prove your worth. To move through this world quietly to have fun, not to be a useful thing. Life is poetry, not a commodity in the market.

I'm not saying you shouldn't do anything helpful. Do useful things, but remember that true experience and the greatest ecstasy come from being "useless." Through creativity, love, meditation. If you are able to make something that cannot be reduced to a commodity, then the greatest joy will fill your heart.

Be yourself and do your thing. You are not here to be sold.

The wisdom of the East