“Be a Palm Tree”

Palm trees are some of the most unique “trees” that exist.  The fact they are even called a tree is a misnomer as they are actually considered an herb and more closely related to grasses such as bamboo.  No matter how they are classified, we all can agree, they are something special as they are often the only thing left upright after a devastating storm.  It’s incredible the way they can stand tall as if nothing happened when large buildings can be easily swept away with high winds.  The supernatural strength of a palm tree comes from its strong fibrous body that is capable of bending and stretching to great lengths.   It’s not the width of their trunk or their height that makes them strong. In essence, what makes palm trees so strong is their incredible flexibility. In fact, if you were to put certain types of big oak trees (like the water oak) in hurricane areas, they would likely not survive.  Despite their large size and weight, they would topple over quickly; this occurs because regular trees are made from wood which resists the wind rather than bending to it. Another interesting fact about palm trees is their root system which is very different from other trees.  Their root systems are rather shallow, but they span over a wide area.  This configuration creates a strong anchor-like effect that is significantly stronger than other species of trees with narrower and deeper root structures.  It is said that palm trees actually become stronger after each storm making them even more resilient for the next storm.   

You may be wondering.  How does all of this apply to studying for a licensing exam such as the EPPP? Well, many test takers find themselves encountering many storms as they prepare for the EPPP.  These storms could be work challenges, illness, trauma, misfortunes, and other major life transitions.  One may even say preparing for a licensing exam is like a storm all on its own! What makes things worse is that many people approach this process like a water oak tree.  They come to this challenging journey with their heels dug in deep just like the roots of the water oak.  Furthermore, their mindset is like a thick, rigid tree trunk that tries to resist the process instead of bending to it. Consequently, many find themselves feeling discombobulated while preparing for the EPPP.  Some report feeling their life and sense of self being ripped apart like the branches of the water oak snapping one by one with each intense gust of wind.  So often test takers get caught up ruminating and fighting against the nature of the exam, they don’t realize their resistance is what is making things worse for them.  Of course, we know the test has tons of problems and bias (which we should be fighting to change), but the best way to make change is to survive the storm and come back stronger like the palm tree.  From a place of privilege (being licensed) you can do so much more to make change. 

This may be where you’re thinking something like “how am I supposed to ‘survive the storm’ in order to fight for change?”  So let’s think about the palm tree again… Hurricanes cannot be stopped or rerouted by a palm tree.  The palm truly has very few choices in the matter except how it chooses to respond to the hurricane.  So when that storm comes through and blows it this way or that way it leans with it and endures until it passes.  So ask yourself “how have I been bending to the wind a.k.a the exam?”  For example, the experts say you need to study about 300-400 hours to be ready. Do you show up to study sessions focused and ready to put in the work a.k.a bending to the process or do you stay stuck in resistance by engaging in endless rumination about how stupid the test is and that you shouldn’t be required to take it.  Another question, do you spend your time speaking positively about your ability to pass or do you spend a lot of time complaining about how biased the test is against you and that you will never pass?  I  could go on, but I think you are getting the point.  I know these questions may feel confronting and you may feel some challenging emotions as you ponder this, but I assure you, your attitude in this process is EVERYTHING. 

I encourage you to start working on learning to be more flexible in this process. When things like the flu throw you off, pause until you feel better then get back on track.  Don’t fret about the days you lost, just keep moving forward.  When you feel tired of studying, don’t get caught up in resistance and fight the process.  Instead, take a moment and find clever ways to make study sessions more enjoyable such as savoring a nice cup of your favorite tea as you study. This is how you bend to the process and come out on top.  Remember, you have the power to decide how you will survive this storm.  Will you be left broken, bewildered, and uprooted like the water oak or will you be standing tall, fully intact, and unbothered like the palm tree.  The choice is yours.