We all have a favorite place, a location that calls us to a younger, more idealistic version of ourselves. It's where we rest when we're tired, where we can be still in world of busyness, where we can retreat from the humdrum of a routine. It's the place where we come alive.

If you go north on 129 out of Gainesville GA, and take a right on 75 toward Unicoi State Park, you can see my favorite waterfall and my favorite tree.

It takes 35 minutes to drive from my office to Dukes Creek Falls, and it's a beautiful 20-minute walk to the falls.

But what about the tree? It's some kind of pine tree - nothing special. Yet, it represents a wonderful study in overcoming adversity.

First of all, there's the location of the tree itself. It sits precariously perched on a rock outcropping in the middle of the falls. You look for the roots that must have a
death-grip on the rock and they're hard to see.

The more you study the tree, the more impossible its situation looks. What are the odds of a seed finding anything to grip and grow on out there? How does it get its nourishment? Where do those roots go? It's perplexing.

This coniferous wonder grew for years out on the ledge and then, apparently, lightning struck it about halfway up and cut it in two.

Game over, right? I'm telling Mr. Tree, "Hey, dude, pack it in and call it a day." But amazingly, the tree found the wherewithal to stay alive. Look at it in the picture.

I want to be like that tree. So many people in America play the victim game: "I was born out here in this grim, hostile place. Everything's against me. And then calamity struck me. Life owes me something."

I'm telling you, they are missing out. Life isn't about escaping without any scratches; it's tough, but it's the toughness that makes it worth living. We were made to face adversity, to stand up against the chaos and bring order to it. Those who are set out to play it safe and demand that other people make their lives easier are kidding themselves.

If they were in Georgia, I'd drive 'em up to Dukes Creek Falls and show 'em my tree.

* Thanks to Yvette for taking this picture!