Hello beautiful one,
Do you remember when you were younger you were asked the question, 'Who do you want to be when you're older?' It assumed that you should be inspired by other people which isn't a bad thing in the slightest, but it also boxes in the options.
Upon looking out the window from my bed this morning, I watched the trees move at insane angles because of the gusts of wind. The power in the air movement is intense, so much so that it's making our home creak and moan. But as I look out, I can see a variety of different sized tree trunks just moving with the wind - no resistance, just acceptance. There's so much resilience in these gentle giants that it inspires me to be more like them.
So I've decided I want to be a tree
And here's why:
MY TOP 8 REASONS WHY I WANT TO BE A TREE
Firstly, they root down into the ground for stability. They know their place and make it known by spreading their roots into the soil. I want that to embody that! I want to create a solid foundation in my life - to feel grounded no matter where I am.
They live in harmony with one another. There's no trunk size shaming here. They don't judge appearance or growth rate. There's no 'I'll show you my chlorophyll leaf if you show me yours'. I wish our human world could be the same - full acceptance of variety. After all, isn't variety the spice of life?
They don't complain. Have you ever heard a tree say, 'Oh fuck, it's pissing down rain and I'm sick of getting wet'!? Nope. They just get on with it like water to a duck's back. Nothing seems to be an issue and even if there is, they deal with it in their own time.
And that's another thing. They don't rush. Trees grow at a rate according to their natural environment. They don't force it but instead move with ease. Their success at being a tree has nothing to do with time but instead, presence.
They're adaptable and resilient. As I wrote earlier about these crazy gusts of wind we're having right now, these trees are so bendy. Some of them have such thick trunks that you'd think they're snap with the amount of bend they have to them. Instead, they flex and move with the wind. They don't resist or yell at the thing that's causing them to move in the first place. They just get on with it. Actually, here in Australia, we have had some pretty extreme weather conditions - the bushfires of 2019, drought, and then multiple floodings. The trees I see out my window are survivors - strong, resilient, and trusting of whatever is yet to come.
Their very existence helps humanity. If it weren't for trees, we wouldn't be here either. Think about it. They use our waste (carbon dioxide) and turn it into the air that we breathe. Most of the cleansing air we breathe is a gift from a tree. Incredible when you really think about it! I want to make sure my existence has made a positive impact on the people I interact with and nature as a whole. I don't want to hurt anyone or anything.
They bring out the kid in all of us. Who can really resist a good tree climb when there's one to be had? Some trees are almost purposefully built to be played on - you know the ones with the multiple branches that reach high into the sky. What adult can resist that?! So naturally, I want to embrace the kid in me and stop taking things seriously - especially the things that are out of my control.
They give the best hugs on the planet. Have you tried tree hugging? Seriously. It is the most grounding and loving experience. The minute you wrap your arms around these incredible creatures, you'll get a sense of just how much wisdom and selflessness they hold. They're just there - anytime you need them. No judgement just unconditional acceptance of who you are. I'd like to think I accept people for who they are but I know I don't do it all the time (some people are just plain old arseholes) so that's an area to work on for sure.
We can learn so much from trees and nature don't you think? The fact that Mother Nature doesn't agonise over where it's going to sprout leaves in Spring or shed them in Winter. It just does it and moves on. We can all be like that.
And....
We can all use nature to heal ourselves too. It's right there - why wouldn't you?! It's the greatest gift we've been given.
I want to leave this written piece which in a way, relates very much to the life of a tree:
“We do not grow absolutely, chronologically. We grow sometimes in one dimension, and not in another; unevenly. We grow partially. We are relative. We are mature in one realm, childish in another. The past, present, and future mingle and pull us backward, forward, or fix us in the present. We are made up of layers, cells, constellations.”
– Anaïs Nin, The Diary of Anaïs Nin Volume 4 1944-1947
So I guess the question is, what tree should I be? Eucalyptus, Red Cedar, Oak Tree? I can't decide but I do know that I want to embody tree traits, that's for certain.
Now it's over to you gorgeous,
What tree traits do you love and want to embrace in your own life?
Leave your answer in the comments section below! I can't wait to read them!
From my trunk to yours (does that sound weird?),
