Be Like the Trees....

Throughout history, trees have been a source of beauty and wonder and have sparked our imaginations. Trees have inspired painters, writers, poets, philosophers and more.

It’s little wonder. Trees are good for the heart and the soul. They represent life, growth, nature and peace.

Trees are essential. They provide us with breathable air, food and even shade and shelter for protection. They give us hope and insight and are a stunning example of true strength, courage and perseverance in the face of harsh conditions and adversity.

There is so much to enjoy, learn and appreciate from and about trees that can be examples for your own life-----of power, beauty, courage, perseverance and the importance of caring for them (and ourselves). Here are some:

FUN FACTS and QUOTES:

-“Finland is officially the world’s happiest country. It is almost 75% forest. I believe these facts are related.”                  ----Matt Haig

-Trees drink water. Like humans, trees need water to survive.

-Do you know where the phrase, “Knock on wood,” to wish good luck or fortune and prevent you from being jinxed, comes from? It comes from pagan times when folks used to tap on trees to summon protective spirits that resided in them.

-Trees breathe oxygen, protect soil and also support wildlife.

-In the fight against the climate crisis, they’re carbon-munching powerhouses.

-Trees have been around only for the last 10% of earth’s entire history.

-Some species never die of old age------they’re immortal.

-Trees help each other to keep predators away. They look out for one another by releasing airborne chemical signals to warn about insects and other threats.

-Trees are ‘interconnected’ and can ‘talk’ to each other. They even share nutrients through an underground system.

-More than half of all tree species exist in a single country----58%. Brazil, Colombia and Indonesia have the highest totals for native tree species.

-Leave aren’t just green; they’re naturally red, yellow, orange, purple and green. A chemical called chlorophyll, which makes leaves green, dominates until leaves get less sunshine, ie: in autumn. The green color fades and allows the other colors to come through.

-Trees release chemicals, called phytoncides. These can reduce blood pressure, lower anxiety levels and increase your pain threshold.

-In Japan, ‘forest bathing’ is popular: doing mindful walks in forests, to soak up the relaxing vibes.

So, what does all this have to do with me or us, you may ask…..? Well----just about everything.

It shows the wonderful and vital connection between humans and nature. Not only is it necessary for us to be aware and appreciative of trees and nature for survival, but also to understand the nature of living fully and beautifully----in other words, thriving.

This can be accomplished by knowing that every ‘seed’ (or acorn) or belief, thought or idea of yours, can develop into a necessary, long-lasting and inspiring ‘tree’ for another or many others. This tree can last for years, centuries or more and can carry on messages for those to come.

THE MAJESTIC TREE THAT IS YOU:

Your ROOTS: Like a tree, underneath the surface are your ‘roots,’ to ground you. These are your CORE VALUES. They must be nurtured and watered so they can grow.

These roots, in turn, develop your strong ‘trunk.’ Coaches and mentors can be the ‘fertilizer’ and ‘sheers’ that help to strengthen and nourish the positive aspects and prune away the more negative aspects (or thought patterns) in your life, so that you can achieve YOUR version of success and abundance.

Your TRUNK: This is your truth---the CORE YOU---your essence. It is impervious and strong yet continues to grow and expand. The rings inside can represent your life’s journey.

Your BRANCHES: These may represent the different areas of your life, ie: your health, finances, relationships, spirit. Some are bigger than others. Why not make them all solid yet flexible?

Your LEAVES: These are the possibilities and soak up the sunshine and feed your soul.

So, BE LIKE THE TREES, with a sturdy, strong, personally powerful core (trunk) and at the same time, be flexible like the swaying branches and leaves. Together, you will create your own inner strengths, personal power and resilience, so necessary for a good life.

The BENEFITS: A great metaphor for your greatest life:

A large, mature tree confers to its environment: shade, shelter, a home, and even a play area for kids. It helps clean the air or it can just be a beautiful being to be admired.

With smiles and love,

Dr Gigi

PS: Ready to plant the seeds or to grow or to prune a bit, to become the most majestic tree (whole human being) you can be? Contact me @www.gigiarnaud.com

“The best time to plant a tree is twenty years ago. The second best time is now.”                          -Chinese proverb