Consider this about the future: that we cannot see it coming. It sneaks upon us like a leopard. Forever we must prepare, for the future will not transpire lightly into the present, nor will it comfortably fade into the past.

All of our decisions are not the best ones, and some of our decisions will come to define us, whether good or bad. This is something of importance, because if we can understand the volume of a decision at that moment, and what it will mean, no matter how simple or how complex, and really focus there, the shadows are brightened and the darkness of the future is eclipsed with balance in the present.

The decision making process, for the modern arborist, can be simplified exponentially. For every question, there is an answer, always. I’m not sure if all the answers are beautiful or favorable, but the answer will always there, even if you have to dig a little duff. For every cause, there is an effect. For every success, there is a failure. Balance is simplification.

In order to understand the way of the arborist, we need to look far beyond this essay. To where the sun sets, to where the moon moves in the morning or where the ocean meets the sky.

A million cuts made, a million trees spade, a million resistographs, a million tree’s epitaphs, a million splices pulled taught, a million pests sprayed to rot, a million root collars excavated, a million aerial rescues simulated, a million bells are ringing, a million salespeople singing, a million arborists certified, a million pieces of gear glorified, a million risks assessed, a million saplings blessed.

In all those millions, there is but one. And this is the way of the arborist.

Unwavering to face the future with the strength and dignity from the past.

Sometimes what we cannot see gives us the clearest vision.

…que fight scene music…