The Wisdom of Trees

Hey there,

Have you ever had a crush on a tree?

It's kinda silly, I know.

But you can't deny that they're breathtaking - and literally, breath-making, converting carbon dioxide into oxygen.

This is very reassuring -  especially if you like breathing. 😘

Plus, high-fives for SHADE. 

CLIMBING. 

Not to mention, clubhouses, critter habitats, bird nests.

And, nature-loving curb appeal.

All this is EPIC, right?! But what's truly sparks my joy is . . . 

The Wisdom of Trees

With hundreds of millions of years to evolve and adapt, it's no wonder trees have a natural air of confidence, resiliency and optimism. 

And when you pay attention, they inspire these qualities in you, too. At least that's what happens with me.

Cue my first crush:

Our sweet Oak tree on Murray Lane had a wooden swing suspended from her sturdiest branch.

Everyone loved that swing - neighborhood kids, Zoe and Luke, their friends—and most of all, me.

There's an indescribable freedom in soaring through the air, heart skipping a beat, weightless, letting worries dissipate into the breeze.


As you glide by - climbing higher, feeling fully alive, radiating pure bliss - you sense the tree's welcoming smile, grateful to serve as your loyal companion. She's always here for you.

My second crush stood in a grove of giant Redwoods that framed the Murray house.

From my bedroom window each morning, I'd look up to this magnificent tree for balance and stability as I'd venture in and out of doing downward dogs, headstands, tree pose.

When life got stormy, as it sometimes does, I'd imagine the tree's history, the generations of storms she'd weathered. Joys and sorrows, the cycle of life with its births, deaths, and the swirling of drama that unfolds. 

In those moments, I'd remember that everything is always changing. Nourished by her unwavering presence, something in me would soften and make room for ease and imperfection. 

For seven years, she taught me the art of being grounded and resilient, whispering wisdom carried by the wind, assuring me that I, too, could weather any storm.

Now that I'm in Palm Springs, I've fallen for all kinds of palm trees, palo verdes, joshua trees . . . and taking a cue from them, I'm learning to adapt to the beautiful desert landscape that surrounds me.

* * *

Listen

I was recently reminded of an inspiring talk by my beloved teacher, Thich Nhat Hanh about weathering the storm of emotions. (He had a thing for trees, too!)

Please enjoy this meditation I created to get you (and me) out of our heads and into our hearts. It's my first meditation on insight timer!

If you listen, please let me know your experience.  You can comment below, send me a message here via email - or chat with me on the insight timer app. So many choices! 

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