Tyler Perry.com

Home

What Kind of Person Are You?

I said this in a play once as Madea... LOL. But I thought I'd revisit it as Tyler for those of you who may not have heard it :-)

I have this tree analogy when I think of people in my life, be it friends, family, acquaintances, employees, co-workers, whomever...They are all placed inside what I call my tree test. It goes like this:

LEAF PEOPLE
Some people come into your life and they are like leaves on a tree. They are only there for a season. You can't depend on them or count on them because they are weak and only there to give you shade. Like leaves, they are there to take what they need and as soon as it gets cold or a wind blows in your life they are gone. You can't be angry at them, it's just who they are.

BRANCH PEOPLE
There are some people who come into your life and they are like branches on a tree. They are stronger than leaves, but you have to be careful with them. They will stick around through most seasons, but if you go through a storm or two in your life it's possible that you could lose them. Most times they break away when it's tough. Although they are stronger than leaves, you have to test them out before you run out there and put all your weight on them. In most cases they can't handle too much weight. But again, you can't be mad with them, it's just who they are.

ROOT PEOPLE
If you can find some people in your life who are like the roots of a tree then you have found something special. Like the roots of a tree, they are hard to find because they are not trying to be seen. Their only job is to hold you up and help you live a strong and healthy life. If you thrive, they are happy. They stay low key and don't let the world know that they are there. And if you go through an awful storm they will hold you up. Their job is to hold you up, come what may, and to nourish you, feed you and water you.

Just as a tree has many limbs and many leaves, there are few roots. Look at your own life. How many leaves, branches and roots do you have? What are you in other people's lives?

THANK GOD FOR YOUR ROOTS! You may want to call them today or share this message with them and attach your own note saying, "thanks for being my root".

By the way, don't waste your time sending this to a leaf, they won't get it anyway.

Love you,

Tyler

by Tyler Perry on September 11, 2012.

Comments (page 2)

Post Comment
Leave a Comment

  • sea view Jefferson

    Mr. Perry, could you write a play about discrimination from your own people because you are not from the city you live in? There are no roots here, just branches and leaves. You are so right. Actually, their generation tree only has one branch, straight up. They did that then and still doing it now. The whites have them where they want them stuck in the fifty's. No education, minimum wage and wiping their children's butts. It reminds me of the "The Help". They think the whites are their friends because they grew up together. I'm going to make sure my children do have anything to do with these people.

    Reply
  • Alisha Atlanta

    Great food for thought. It's truly a blessing to have strong roots in your life. I have never called myself such but after reading I would definitely consider myself a root. One who doesn't change with the seasons and I look for that in the folks I decide to keep in my life. Tyler you are an inspiration, a mentor, a role model. Stay strong, your footsteps have already been ordered by God so you will succeed no matter what. Although I'm sure you have a lot encouragement around you, you have to encourage yourself as well. Continue to speak words of life over all that you do and all that you are and to be a root for those in your life who need that from you. Maybe some day I will have the pleasure of meeting you :) Stay Blessed!

    Reply
  • Cheryl Sereno Hornell,NY 14843

    How beautful and true.

    Reply
  • Joyce Alexander Hodgkins,il

    Hi Tyler Perry I would like for you to help me out i am a 56 year old women who trying to put a dog foods on the market but just dont have the money to get it started paid for the patation lic but could not go anymore dream goinging down the drain

    Reply
  • Geraldine Iquo Okon Abuja,Nigeria

    Thanks Mr Tyler for this Awesome message. I feel blessed & Touched by your message. You are my Hero & a great inspiration. Your message has given me a New Prayer Point which is God should give me a ROOT in my life. As all I need & want is a root. Some who is a real friend,who will stand with me both in good times & bad times. A constant & steady friend in stormy times. God bless you Abundantly in Jesus Name. Amen!

    Reply
  • Temitope Obafemi Lagos, Nigeria.

    Wao this is very thoughtful of you and very inspiring too. Am just going to give a special appreciation to my wife for being my root. Thank you Mr Tyler. Come to think of it, she actually is the big fan of yours in the house who introduced your works to the family, she will never go to bed no matter how tired her day is without seeing a movie of yours,and my son is cut up in that wind too. I loved it anyway. Keep the good work up brother. Shalom.

    Reply
  • JaRell El Paso Texas

    I know the kind of person I hope to become, CHECK IT OUT!....

    Reply
    • JaRell El Paso Texas #1755392

      Take a look at THE CTC Guide Mag, where JaRell Collins hopes to be the next Tyler/Will/Denzel all in one!

      Reply
  • Demeara Mississippi

    What kind of person am I? I had to step away and think about this analogy for a minute and be honest with myself. In all honesty; I had the mindset of all three at different times in my life-I’m human. Growth and my relationship with God taught me how to handle situations differently. I made several choices in my life that I wish I could change, but at those times in my life I didn’t know how to handle the struggle…. I didn’t know how to lean on God for direction, or ask for understanding and how to (allow) God to move on my behalf. I looked at people and situations totally different than what I do now. I am not the same person I use to be on any level, but it took, pain, struggle and time to get me to this point in my life, where I can be honest with you and say I am a root, but all my strength comes from God, it’s planted inside my soul and it growing daily. I have no need for the spot light; God shines in me on a daily basis. Or feeling the need to benefit from someone else; in my father’s house there are many mansions. Or playing the games to get ahead in life; whatever I need God has and will provide. As far as my relationship with people and how they are towards me, my discernment and the guidance I receive from God is so powerful, I am usually fore warned and I thank God for that. I never put my trust in man; they will let you down every time. I put my trust in God. Jeremiah 17:5-10 I’ve never had anyone explain this analogy this way, but it does make since¬-Food for thought. -Demeara

    Reply
  • John T. Bankston Atlanta

    That was very inspirational, you are an inspiration to This family's tree.You are a very special person. Thats my story and I am sticking to it.

    Reply
  • Anne Kamukazi Kampala, Uganda.

    This has blessed me so much because i just listened to one of my favorite motivational speakers (Bishop T.D.Jakes) and he shared something about friends.He too shared three types of friends that he believes we encounter in our lives. The Confidants, The Constituents and The Comrades. Confidants are like the roots in your tree philosophy because they are ride or die. they are for you, with you in your business, not afraid to hurt your feelings when it comes to the truth and here to help you fulfill your destiny. if you have two of these in your life time you are blessed. Constituents are for what you are for. they will ride with you till you accomplish what you both are for and then they will move on. they will work for you and with you. never think they are for you, they are just for what you are for and sometimes they will desert you and try to fulfill the dream without you. They are strong only for a while. similar to the branches i think. Lastly, The Comrades who are not for you and neither are they for what you are for. they are simply against what you are against. These team up with you to fight the greater enemy until the victory is accomplished. They come into your life for a purpose and are removed when the purpose is fulfilled. Comrades and Constituents are expected to leave you after a while, be careful who you tell your dream too. And its true, its not that they are bad people, am sure they are roots in other people's lives but they are branches and leaves( constituents & Comrades) in yours and thats just it. Thanks Tyler for the Tree thing, :))

    Reply
  • Miss Bell Florida

    I had to come to your site in search of this leaf analogy and I thank you so much for sharing it. As a root, I find that I tend to run across a lot of leaves. Because I am a genuine and loving person it is hard for me to pick the leaves out until after they have run their course in my life leaving me hurt and wondering what did I do wrong. I love from deep in my heart and I am able to find something good in everyone despite being warned. I just want to say thank you for your continual inspiration to others and because of you, I am able to let go of the hurt today because it's not me, it's just who they are!

    Reply
  • Karen Behm Orwigsburg, PA

    Thank you Mr. Perry. I really enjoyed that. It was wonderful.

    Reply
Two-Night Premiere!