How we measure up (or don't)

Anyone ever tell you that you don't "measure up!"

Many people struggling with their self-image believe they don’t. As children, we may have heard that we are not living up to our potential, that we can do better if we just try harder, or other similar statements that show our parents disappointment in us. Then we carry the idea that we are a disappointment to those around us into our adult life. Here is a another perspective...

Which yardstick would you choose for yourself?

We all have our own internal yardstick we use to measure our identity or how we view or value ourselves as a person.

Unfortunately, what happens is that we end up looking at, and many times using, another person's yardstick to measure ourselves. When we do this, many times we end up on the "short end of the stick".

What, then, is the problem with using another person’s yardstick to measure ourselves? Well, we can’t see what is on another person's yardstick, so we guess. Others will hold their yardstick away from us so can we only see or hear what they want us to see or hear. We cannot see the flaws, shortcomings, or failings that make them just like us. When we end up guessing, our guesses are usually "way off the mark!" Besides, we never know which person's yard stick to use. The result is a poor self-image and often a real identity crisis.

So, let’s agree to only use our own yardstick, and to measure our self against our own values, principals, morals, and beliefs. The fact is that our yardstick usually has many great things on it that we overlook.

Somebody Has an Attitude...

This crowd looks ready for a fight...

Go figure, a cow with an attitude!

Sometimes your just taking a nice walk in the field and you run into  a unruly gang. 

Back off, give them space, and hope they don't come after you.

Vibrant Fall Colors of Northern Michigan

Somewhere in the middle of Northern Michigan is this eyeful of color. This is just a tiny perspective of the brilliance that can be seen everywhere.

Personal Identity and The Identity Tree

The Identity Tree (c)
Jeffrey W. Katke 9/2011

I often hear people say something like, “I don’t know who I am anymore.” The Identity Tree is a response to those who believe they have lost who they are because of a lost job, an important family member or friend, or some other traumatic loss experience. This idea came about as the result of a recent hiking experience. 

My wife and I were hiking in the woods of Northern Michigan when I spotted a huge White Pine tree. Its 100-foot canopy spread widely over the entire area we were in at the time. As I looked at the tree, I noticed several small and large branches directly below the canopy that were dying, barren, or broken. They made the tree to appear less than healthy if you did not consider the huge canopy. I also notice that the trunk was wide and solid without a hint of former branches; just unblemished bark. I am sure that this tree was well over one-hundred years old. Here is my revelation and how it became the “Identity Tree”.

I saw this tree as a metaphor for an person’s life. A tree is a living growing entity, different in its species, it growing habits, and appearance. There are those that are healthy, and those that are not healthy, and each will thrive differently because of its genes and the environment. Conceptually, as it related to our identity as a person, a tree has much in common with us. It is a way to consider how deep, rich, and resilient your are, even when difficulties provide a challenge who you think you are or are not.

In this metaphor, the various aspects of an individual’s life and character are associated with the corresponding attributes of The Identity Tree. In this tree are the normal parts: the roots, trunk, branches, and a canopy of leaves. The roots of this tree are those characteristics, traits, and environmental influences that shape who we have become. The trunk represents the core of our identity, which are the values, principles, and morals by which we live our lives. Next, are the branches that are withered, broken, or otherwise stressed. On the Identity Tree, the branches represent the various experiences or life altering events that have effected a client’s growth (positively or negatively), but are no longer a central part of their life. Then there is the canopy. The canopy of where you live; this is your here and now. Within the canopy are your opportunities to make your life rich and whole. This is where you are free to self-actualize and give your life new meaning and purpose.

As a final thought that completes this vision of a healing opportunity. The base of a tree heals itself of prior wounds from the lost branches over time. The wounds are lost to the unscarred bark that surrounds the tree as it increases in size and strength. In visualizing the Identity Tree, you can see how it heals of past wounds. As your “tree” heals over time, it also strengthens and increases your presence in the world and your value to your self and others.

On this beautiful day in Northern Michigan, we ran into this big fellow trynig to adjust to his new environment and perhaps locate something eat for the next four months unitl spring.






I was only 100 feet from this guy when I saw him. He was not sure of what I wanted, so he decided to just watch me. When I started to make some noise, he started jumping and ran in circles.

Wow, the snow Up North was early and a lot. I was told that the snowfall so far this season (up to December 7, 2008) is more that 60". Usually, the amount is about a quarter of what has fallen so far this year. Heard on the news that another 10" is expected today, December 9th.

Jeff & Kathy Head'n Out

Here is a special couple heading to a dinner party. We had a very good time.

Beauty in Images of Age

IN my travels, I am always looking for interesting subjects that evoke an image of an age long past. These are some of those images. When I view them I see a history of a people who lived, worked and relaxed in a world of rich color and interesting architecture.

Here is an antique door knob on a home that must have seen a lot of traffic. The lock was little used and not too much care was put into he door since that would have distracted the family from enjoying their life inside.

This antique outbuilding door latch was on an old outbuilding near the remains of an barn and silo off Michigan Avenue southeast of Ann Arbor, MI. On the silo was an advertisement for New Era Potato Chips, which was bought out by Frito-Lay and evolved into Lay's Potato Chips. Years ago the name New Era, like the silo it was on and the field it was in, disappeared.

These Shutters in Zore, Ohio have not seen a lot of direct sunlight since the color has stayed so rich and bright. Maybe, they were always open so as to let the light into the house until its residents were no longer able to occupy it. Now the house is abandon, longing for people to open them up again and let the sunlight in.