About Evergeen

A few years ago, I remember feeling completely drained halfway through my workday while working from home. As usual, I decided to step out for a walk to recharge, but it was the middle of winter, and the freezing temperatures quickly made me reconsider. Instead of my usual walk, I opted for a drive to Valley Forge National Park, just ten minutes away. The park, famous for being the encampment site of the Continental Army during the harsh winter of 1777-1778, spans 3,500 acres of monuments, meadows, and woodlands, commemorating the perseverance and resilience of the Revolutionary War generation. It’s an inspiring place that reminds us of the power of unity and overcoming adversity.

 

On this particular visit, however, the scenery wasn’t as picturesque as usual. The trees were bare, the grass a dull brown—the typical winter landscape that feels a bit dreary. But even though the view was less inspiring, I was still grateful to escape the house, even if just for a while.

As I drove my usual route, something caught my eye. I slowed down, intrigued by this unexpected sight. Standing upright, bold, and unapologetic against the dormant beige, brown, and tan backdrop was a simple, vibrant, bright green, evergreen tree. Yes, an evergreen tree. I’d seen evergreens plenty of times before, but this one felt different. I couldn’t look away.

I asked myself, "Why have I never noticed this tree before?" And then it hit me. At that moment, I was feeling as depleted as the winter landscape around me. But this evergreen tree was thriving, defying its surroundings. It was as if the tree was sending me a message: "There’s another way to be. Let me show you."

 

I was eager to learn more. When I got home, I started researching evergreen trees, particularly how they maintain their vibrancy through harsh winters when other trees seem to give up. I felt there was a lesson here, not just for me, but for others as well.

In the northeastern U.S., where I live, the shorter days and reduced sunlight in winter challenge trees’ ability to photosynthesize, their way of making food. Most trees—like deciduous trees—respond by reclaiming their water, nutrients, and chlorophyll, pulling them into their trunks. Their leaves change color and fall, leaving the trees bare. It’s easy to think they’ve died, but in reality, they’ve just gone dormant, waiting for better conditions.

 

It struck me that this pattern mirrors how many of us deal with life. When conditions aren’t ideal, we tend to pull back, hiding ourselves as a form of protection, disengaging from the world around us. While we don’t lose our outer layers as dramatically as trees, we can experience periods of burnout, exhaustion, or emotional withdrawal that limit our enjoyment of life and our impact on others.

That’s where the evergreen comes in. Unlike other trees, evergreens hold onto their nutrients and water, protecting their leaves with a waxy coating called cutin. This helps them keep photosynthesizing all year long, regardless of the external conditions. They thrive despite the harshest environments—and that’s the inspiration behind this initiative.

 

I believe we can all learn from the evergreen. We don’t have to be defined by our seasons or circumstances. We can choose to thrive, even when life feels bleak. For me, being "evergreen" goes beyond appearing vibrant; it means having the resilience to contribute meaningfully to the environments we’re a part of—whether that’s our family, community, or work—for the long term.

And that’s the vision I’m excited to share with you. I want to help others, like you, embrace the evergreen mindset and thrive, no matter the season of life.