#14 Be Like a Tree

Breath with the trees

• as they breath out we breath in – oxygen /carbon dioxide exchange
• working together  – a must in these times

Move like a tree

• they sit stately and move slowly in response to life around them
• we need to learn how to sit and respond slowly to what is happening around us

Wake like the trees

• many trees “awaken” in the spring – sap begins to move upward, leaf buds take note and unfurl in bright lime green to provide food for them over the warming months
• we also could see this time of social distancing as part of the winter withdrawal knowing we will in a few weeks be able to step out, stretch our limbs and seek nourishment from the warmer days

Stand Tall with the trees

• trees sink their roots deep into the ground to provide water, stability and connection to microbes, and other trees – they develop a deep relationship to the earth
• we can stand tall at this time to nurture our own deep relationship to the earth, family and friends – we can push our own roots deep into our local community to find stability for our selves and support for others – that community may be your neighbors, family, an on-line community (yes, you writing teachers) – look around you there are friends everywhere

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I have walked my garden in the last few days. The ground is either mucky or frozen depending on the time. The leaf mold is covering last years growth but the early bulbs pushing through and peaking out of the frozen ground. (photo from last spring)

Each day I stand at the edge of the flower bed and look up into the wide reaching limbs of a powerful old Maple tree that sits at the edge of my yard. The roots spread out across the area below me deep in the ground. The trunk is thick with age. There are branches scattered about the garden from this ancient tree. The casts offs from winter storms.

The Maple bud are pushing excited to spring into action. From where I stand I can see them increasing in size each day just a tiny amount. They are a deep cranberry red and from them leaves will pop out in another three weeks or so. I know as these leaves grow they will release an abundance of oxygen into the air giving us renewed life, health and energy.

I will continue to breath out giving this tree a small amount of carbon dioxide and thanking it for the oxygen it is giving me. The continuing exchange of life.

Yes, it seems I am a tree hugger. I see this tree from my bed late at time when my mind is spinning with worry or fear. Each time I see it there I am calmed by its steadiness over the years.

I will spend the next few weeks working to be more like a tree. How about you?

 

P.S.  Remember there are trees who will do this in a few weeks and hopefully so will we!               (or maybe yours are already in full joy where you live.)

Pella, Iowa – Tulip festival 2018! Pure Joy