"Trees that grow tall have deep roots. Great height without great depth is dangerous. The great leaders of this world - like St. Francis, Gandhi, and Martin Luther King, Jr., - were all people who could live with public notoriety, influence, and power in a humble way because of their deep spiritual rootedness. Without deep roots we easily let others determine who we are. But as we cling to our popularity, we may lose our true sense of self. Our clinging to the opinion of others reveals how superficial we are. We have little to stand on. We have to be kept alive by adulation and praise. Those who are deeply rooted in the love of God can enjoy human praise without being attached to it." (Henri Nouwen)  To be rooted in the love of God for us is to know and embrace our true self. But to be rooted in others is to live the lie of the false self, which is clinging and dependent, unsure and fearful. St. Paul aptly said it: "So, as you received Christ Jesus the Lord, walk in him, be rooted in him and built upon him and established in the faith as you were taught, abounding in thanksgiving." (Col 2:7) Stand tall in Christ.