Kia Ora, kia ora,
This past week has reflected the need to be in essence, to stand tall and to be strong in all we do and say. It isn't always easy, for there are times when all we want to do is hide, or be left alone, to live life at a level where mediocrity reigns.
Totara manawa kaha
tu pono ki te tika
Ruia, taitea kia tu ko taikaka.
Stout hearted Totara
standing straight and true
The sapwood surrounds the heart wood beneath.
Often we go through life wearing masks that hide the real us. When we remove the masks, true beauty is revealed.
From Atarangi: The Totara tree is a metaphor that talks of ones stoutheartedness and being straight and true. When life zaps and saps us, we can and do put masks on to hide the truth of our situation. Even from ourselves sometimes.
But we have to take on the persona of the Totara tree and be strong, be straight and be true, to no one else but ourselves first and foremost.
Once we have done that, life becomes easy, we drop the mask, we participate and communicate, with the self, with each other, with the world at large.
Waste no time hiding. Shine in all your glory.
© Atarangi Muru 2020
