Rooted? (Alamance, NC)

In any kind of life or leadership lore, you will quickly hear about the need for a strong foundation.  We need to be rooted in values or principles that will last when the storms come.  You also hear about people talking about their "roots" and how it sustains them for what lies ahead.

That talk is great, but leads to a posed question - is it talk or is it reality?  This photo reveals what many people, unfortunately, have as their roots - yep, they certainly exist but they are hanging in the air.  Those roots are not attached to anything and, as such, are worthless.

No doubt this tree has lived a long time and has other roots that provide it valuable nourishment and anchor it to the earth, but what about you?  Are your roots real or are they just hanging around?  If you want to know if your roots are deep and real, then try to live without them (and not just talk about them).  If you cannot, then they are real.  If you primarily talk about them and do not match them with a walk, then those roots are worthless and will erode when the storm hits.