"The more we study the major problems of our time, the more we come to realize that they cannot be understood in isolation. They are systemic problems, which means that they are interconnected and interdependent”
- Fritjof Capra, Ph.D Physicist
The Man Who Planted Trees - is a short story by Jean Giono, written for Reader’s Digest in 1953 on the theme
‘The most exceptional person I have met’. The author recounts the journey of Elzeard Bouffier, a solitary shepherd who gave life back to an abandoned desert region by simply planting trees in the foothills of the Alps in Provence, France.
This story even though fictional inspired many ‘regeneration efforts’ across the world; a 30 minute masterpiece demonstrating the power of an ordinary human to create the extraordinary. By understanding the interrelated, interconnected and regenerative nature of life, we can tap into it’s systemic intelligence and learn to accomplish much more with less; the law of least effort creating maximum impact is on full display in the movie. I invite you to watch and be inspired, to boldly move forward with your own noble purpose, no matter how small or grand. Thanks for taking the time to make a difference in your own life and in the lives of those around you. Shift now!