If you’ve been lucky enough to find yourself at Kalaloch Beach (pronounced clay-lock) on Washington state’s Olympic Peninsula, hopefully you’ve also found yourself staring at the gravity-defying Tree of Life. 

Standing in the sand one would be forgiven if they don’t quite believe what they’re seeing before them. Floating in between eroded cliffs, this Sitka spruce has been holding out against the odds for over a century as it slowly but surely sinks into the soft sand supporting it. Of course, it started out like any other spruce tree, but maybe its destiny was always assured as the ground around its roots eroded away and it started dipping ever closer towards Earth.

But its collapse is a story for another day. Today, it’s a symbol of perseverance, surviving massive coastal storms and waves. Literally. And yet, the tree will eventually collapse and transform into and alongside the driftwood surrounding it. We recommend a visit while it’s still hardy.

Gazing at this image always reminds us that we too, are strong and resilient.

What helps remind you that you’re strong and resilient, too?

See this and more from Olympic National Park here.

H/T to Zac & Erin for sharing this wonder with us!