To me the tree symbolises a simple model for illustrating the following:
The crown symbolises self confidence, i.e. our competencies and skills; anything others can see and hear.
The roots symbolise self esteem, i.e. our thoughts and feelings about what we ARE as individuals.
If the tree is exposed to a hurricane, it is of the utmost importance that the roots will hold.
If the crown of the tree is bigger than the roots – or if the roots have withered – it will break more easily!
In metaphorical terms we might say that the roots must be able to carry us through the hurricanes we encounter in our surface lives, such as being fired, going through a divorce and other crises.
For this reason, it is imperative that we work on our self esteem. It is a never-ending journey … and it is exciting.
This is why I have chosen to work as one of Denmark’s two representatives in The International Council for Self-esteem