When my son was younger, he loved collecting sticks. He cared for them so much that, when we were preparing to sell our house in Oregon and cleaning out his closet and under his loft bed, we found countless sticks he had brought into his room. Each stick symbolized something he needed. Some were swords, ready to fight dragons. Others were guns, prepared to defend the land. Still, others were magic wands and staffs like Gandalf’s. Every stick was something powerful to this little boy. They were so important to him that we had to get rid of them while he was at school so he wouldn’t see them being taken away.
These sticks were great for playing, but one thing was clear about all of them: the rougher he was with them, the more likely they were to break. They could handle some pressure, but after repeated contact and use, the stick would eventually break where the pressure was applied the most.
Lately, my TikTok feed has been filled with videos of storms knocking down trees. I’m not sure how the algorithm decided to show me these since I wasn’t searching for them, but I’ve watched quite a few. In each stitched clip, a common theme emerges: a sturdy-looking tree gets knocked over, ripping up the ground around it, or large parts of the tree break at a weak spot.
Sometimes, there’s even a video showing a palm tree in the middle of a hurricane. The tree is nearly bent in half, yet it still has its fronds and remains standing after the storm passes. This made me wonder: how does a strong oak tree, in appearance, break during a weaker storm, while a palm tree can still stand after a massive hurricane? This prompted me to research what allows the humble palm tree, even those that are 50 to 60 feet tall, to withstand storms and often look barely touched. The simple answer is that they are incredibly resilient. But the deeper question is: where does this resilience come from?
The answer lies in three main aspects: leaning with the wind, forming supportive rings, and developing the proper root system. But that’s not just a clever metaphor—it’s built into the biology of the palm tree itself.
Photo by Miguel Hernández on Unsplash
Why Palm Trees Survive Storms
Palm trees are built for resilience. Every part of their structure—from the inside of the trunk to the tips of their fronds—contributes to their ability to stand tall in the toughest conditions. Here’s what I found as I explored further.
They Lean with the Wind
Palm trees don’t withstand storms by staying stiff. They survive because they are built to bend. Their trunks are made of bundled vascular fibers—think of vertical cables instead of solid wood. This design allows the palm to bend considerably, sometimes up to 50 degrees, without breaking. While other trees resist and eventually snap, the palm tree flexes and stays rooted.
And it’s not just the trunk. The fronds, those long, wide leaves at the top, also play a key role. In high winds, they don’t cling tightly. They shed easily, reducing drag and protecting the tree’s center. That ability to release, not resist, is part of what makes the palm so durable.
Resilience isn’t about pretending the storm isn’t happening. It’s about responding to pressure wisely—by bending, adjusting, and even letting go when it’s time. The palm doesn’t lose strength by moving. It finds it there.
They Grow Rings of Support
If you look closely at a palm tree’s trunk, you’ll see a pattern of rings running along its length. These aren’t just for decoration—they help strengthen the palm’s structure.
Each ring represents a season of growth. Unlike traditional trees that grow outward in rings, palms grow upward, gradually forming a thicker, more solid core. The older the palm, the more internal structure it builds. This layered strength helps it keep its shape under pressure.
It’s a powerful example of how our resilience is shaped by the people, routines, and experiences that build us over time. Like the rings in a palm tree, our relationships and repeated habits create layers of inner strength—support systems that make us stronger with each season.
You don’t become resilient overnight. You build it, layer by layer, through deliberate support and consistent practice.
They Develop Roots
You might think that a palm’s strength comes from deep roots, but that’s not actually the case. Palm trees don’t grow down with a single taproot like many hardwood trees. Instead, they develop a dense network of fibrous roots that spread out widely just beneath the surface.
Its wide foundation keeps the palm stable, even in loose or sandy soil. The root system spreads extensively in all directions, giving the tree balance and strength from multiple angles, not just one deep point.
For us, that’s a reminder that resilience, strength, and wholeness don’t come from just one big thing. They develop from a network of support, routines, and rhythms that keep us steady over time. Daily disciplines. Grounded beliefs. Healthy relationships. All of these add up to a life that’s more resilient and harder to knock over.
So when we talk about living like a palm tree, leaning with the wind, growing rings of support, and developing the right root system, we’re not just speaking symbolically. We’re describing a real design built for real storms.
The palm doesn’t survive just by luck or being untouched. It lasts because it’s built wisely—for movement, growth, and resilience. And that’s what this series is about: helping you do the same.
I have a friend who is also a coach, whom I have hired at different times in my life, and one statement she’s shared with me many times is this: “Information gives the illusion of transformation.” When we learn something new, it sticks in our brain, making us think we have changed. But change doesn’t happen just because we learn something; it happens when we apply it consistently to our lives.
So here is what I would love to hear from you:
Where do you need to bend instead of break?
What pressure are you facing right now that you’ve been trying to resist on your own? Maybe it’s stress at work, tension at home, or something internal you’ve kept to yourself. What would it look like for you to go with the flow instead of stiffening up? Share a moment when you’re learning to stay flexible instead of snapping under pressure.
Who or what is strengthening your inner foundation? Palm trees grow rings that reinforce them over time. You’re doing the same—whether intentionally or not. Who are the people or practices boosting your life right now? Or perhaps this is where you feel vulnerable—lacking genuine support, consistency, or encouragement. Either way, recognize it. Where are you growing—and where do you want to grow stronger?
What roots are you planting—daily and intentionally?
You don’t need a single deep fix. You need a system of small, consistent anchors: rest, prayer, connection, health. What’s one rhythm you’ve established (or want to establish) that helps you stay grounded? Share a habit, routine, or commitment you’re working on that keeps you from being uprooted when life gets chaotic.
I’d love to hear what you’re going through as we begin this journey together. This isn’t just about reading something that feels true. It’s about becoming someone who lives it. Let’s build that kind of resilience layer by layer, root by root, storm-tested decision by storm-tested decision.
