A Journey of Language, Growth, and Autism Perspectives: Stephen’s Evolution

Branching Out: Cultivating Your 'Tree of Wisdom'

• Stephen McHugh • Episode 50

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Embrace the journey of personal growth and resilience with this episode that aims to delve into the metaphor of the 'Tree of Wisdom'. By drawing on personal experiences as someone on the autistic spectrum, I share some  insights on how our struggles can shape us and inform the wisdom we gain throughout life's journey. This episode was inspired by a video I found informative I recently watched on YouTube. I didn't mention it during the episode. However, I'm providing the link to it here, if you wish to watch it.

Through this episode, the objective is to try and highlight how the roots of our experiences can help to establish a strong foundation, while the trunk represents the resilience built through challenges and triumphs.

Listen in as I explore the importance of expressing ourselves, whether through creative endeavours or personal storytelling, and understand how sharing our lived experiences can contribute to greater societal acceptance of autism. The branches of our Tree symbolise unique perspectives, offering fresh insights into problem-solving and communication. 

As I try to connect the metaphor to my experiences, listeners are encouraged to reflect on their wisdom and consider how they can contribute meaningfully to the discussions surrounding autism. The canopy of the tree embodies growth and understanding, reminding us that every journey offers valuable lessons worth sharing. Join me and nurture your personal 'Tree of Wisdom'. 

Send me your comments and questions


Thanks for listening. You can find me on my website stephensevolution.com, or on twitter here. You can sign up to receive news of new episodes when they're released here.


Artwork produced by Elena Designe
Music composed by Nela Ruiz

Stephen McHugh:

Hi there and welcome back to another episode of the Stephen's Evolution podcast. I'm Stephen McHugh, your host, and if this is the first time you've joined me, a very warm welcome to you. It is on this podcast every fortnight, where I share episodes based on my life on the autistic spectrum. It is where I bring my lived experiences to life through metaphors and other forms of figurative language. This episode is based on the metaphor 'Tree of Wisdom'. I was recently inspired by a YouTube video on a particular channel at the time of recording this, that encourages older generations to start their own ventures. This could include sharing life lessons and wisdom, and remind us that every experience holds knowledge to help others. This can apply to the autistic experience. I already do this in a blog and this associated podcast. It can be by sharing our own unique journeys that we can pass on wisdom, inspire hope and foster more in terms of understanding.

Stephen McHugh:

So let's start exploring the metaphor 'Tree of Wisdom. Looking back to times when I was growing up, there were occasions when I would wonder why I was different in some ways. Things that I struggled with included small talk and forming connections with others, and, by the time I was in my mid-teens, I found myself preferring to be on my own more often than not. As I moved from high school into sixth form here in the UK, it became more obvious to me that my language and communication challenges were holding me back. In sixth form, there were one or two teachers who even noticed that I would have difficulty applying knowledge in some subjects, like in various parts of syllabuses. Back then, little was known about what was causing my differences compared to today. As time went along, I began to suspect that my struggles in forming friendships were linked to my language and communication challenges challenges. I like to think of those early experiences as the unseen, the developing roots of a new young tree. Roots are also what help anchor a tree so that it's got a firm enough foundation to grow and develop. Today, in this episode, I hope to pass on wisdom that I hope can benefit others who may support them.

Stephen McHugh:

Growing up, trying to fit in with others more often than not, proved to be a struggle for me. I remember one occasion when I tried too hard to fit in, like trying to step into roles, like being a leader of a group. It was here where I thought that if I could successfully do this, I'd have the feeling of finally belonging. However, over time, I learned that one's true strength is about embracing who they are, and what they are, even if the world doesn't always quite understand. Much like a tree that loses branches in storms yet continues to stand tall, I would face setbacks that helped to shape my resilience. My underlying improvements from times gone by, would help to reassure me that things would get better. Speaking of exam failures, these would eventually turn into successes on resits. And the challenges I faced in creative writing led to breakthroughs, when I finally was offered chances to write about experiences and interests. Even when I faced challenges about how to cook things, I thought back to my progress of times gone by, my underlying improvements. This helped me to develop sound cooking skills. In the process, it helped me to learn certain recipes. This reminded me that every struggle and every challenge that I faced and overcome satisfactorily, giving me more confidence to face future challenges. This journey of trial and error, setbacks and small victories forms the trunk of my 'Tree of Wisdom'. It is a foundation built on strength, resilience and the courage to be myself. The trunk of my tree of wisdom is what helps me to stand tall and face any storms that may come my way.

Stephen McHugh:

And now, in terms of branching out, the way I look at this is, it can be about venturing and exploring the unknown and delving deep into what we may be passionate about, and something that may excite us about what we may find. For example, I've always been fascinated with astronomy, particularly telescopes and the thrill of seeing faraway worlds up closer, like the craters of the moon and the rings of Saturn and stars in star clusters separated into individual stars. I even created my own scale at home of the solar system by once dividing planets' distances by the heights on a measuring chart. For me, this was an interesting and playful exercise in problem-solving.

Stephen McHugh:

I also found creative expression when building tall Lego houses with long gardens. I had a fascination with extreme dimensions, like imagining having a tall house and a long garden. At the same time, I would imagine having such a house and garden, and going on adventures with Lego friends. Short stories emerging from these ideas that then emerged from these ideas of mine, incorporating elements like my favourite things, like telescopes on the roofs, where I would imagine seeing deep space objects closer up. I would also imagine there being grand pianos inside. I got this idea from my interest in music and piano playing. This not only sparked my creativity. All in this new passion of mine creative writing by channelling it into a way of connection. This involved me coming up with and writing short stories that used idioms to help explain their meanings. At the same time, in the stories, I'd invite readers to try and draw their own interpretations of the images the stories may evoke. In essence, these branching endeavours can reflect unique ways of thinking and problem-solving, fresh personal perspectives on creativity that can offer deeper and interesting insights into seeing the world differently, and passing on such knowledge and wisdom.

Stephen McHugh:

Trying to understand language and the perspectives of other people was once a major hurdle for me. However, over the years I have noticed considerable improvements here. In situations like these, communication often felt like some sort of barrier. The way I saw it was, eventually, I would begin to see such challenges as opportunities to try and innovate, and be more creative in the ways I'd connect with others, whether it be through writing my music and piano playing or other creative expressions on my blog and associated podcast. I've come to understand that authentic connections don't have to follow one single rule.

Stephen McHugh:

Just like leaves come in various shapes, sizes and colours, genuine communication for me can be as simple as sitting and quietly listening to a group conversation, or as expressive as music, reflecting the wisdom of authenticity in each and every interaction. In terms of facing storms, I could compare them to times when I would face misunderstandings, such as when others might think I was being rude or uninterested, because my body language, facial expressions or lack of eye contact was simply my way of processing the world and the information I was gathering from all around, much like a tree that faces and endures storms in its time. Over time I would learn how to transform such challenges into creative means for communication, and finding solace in the acceptance of friends who would understand and notice my differences, even more so when I would tell them. Each storm would teach me how to navigate social interactions, but more than that the experiences would also help me to build confidence to tackle future setbacks, such as in other ventures like cooking, and doing this associated podcast with my blog.

Stephen McHugh:

You could include my improvements in my exam resits here. Such experiences, when I think about them, remind me that in even the strongest storms, there's always going to be some wisdom to share for those facing their own unique challenges. Whenever I see trees, the way I think about them is they all grow in their unique ways. Some will take longer to reach their full height, and each one will develop their own distinct and unique shape. Similarly, we all progress and develop at paces that suit us, our own paces. There is no single pathway to success. The way I see it is, it's all about looking into and building a life that you feel works best for you, while at the same time, surrounding yourself with people who truly accept you for who and what you are.

Stephen McHugh:

Going back to a YouTube video that encouraged older generations to start their own ventures, it got me thinking about how older generations could do this to share any wisdom, useful wisdom, that is. The way in which we could do things like this, it is not limited to YouTube. It can be done through blogs or podcasts, and through these we can share experiences that could make a real and important difference in how society may view autism. Imagine if each and every one of us contributed even a little bit of our hard-earned knowledge and wisdom from our personal lived experiences. Eventually, it could add up to a powerful shift and inspire the next generation to embrace their true selves and, at the same time, help to foster a more understanding and supportive society. I can compare this to the canopy of 'The Tree of Wisdom'. The canopy of the tree of wisdom a symbol of growth, acceptance, understanding and, at the same time, thriving on our own terms.

Stephen McHugh:

And as we conclude this episode, let's revisit the metaphor 'The Tree of Wisdom.

Stephen McHugh:

Those of us who are autistic will navigate life in ways that others may not always quite understand. Along the way, we develop unique skills, gain unique, valuable insights, unique knowledge, and learn lessons that will be well worth passing on. I came across recently at the time of recording. This got me thinking that wisdom isn't just about age. The way I look at ages, it's just a number. To put simply To me, the way I look at wisdom is it comes from experience, and every autistic person, no matter what stage they are on their journey, will have something meaningful to share with the world.

Stephen McHugh:

Now I'd like to hear from you what wisdom do you have that you've gained, that you feel you can share from your own journey. Do you share it with others? If so, how do you? Is it through conversations, writing or perhaps by starting a venture of your own? Like doing something creative? Remember your experiences will matter. You can share them and your thoughts by texting the podcast via the link in the episode description. Thank you for joining me for this episode. If you wish to stay updated on new episodes and other podcast-related news, you can sign up via the Stay in the Loop link towards the footer of the homepage of my my website, stephensevolution. com. Take care, embrace who you are and I'll see you in the next episode.