Wednesday, September 19, 2007

Advice From a Tree


I've been a tree hugger since forever. A longtime friend once told me he thought I might have been a tree in a former life - me with my head in the clouds but my roots sunk deep. I found this piece on a wall in my sister's house and copied it down. Written by Ilan Shamir, it's worth sharing.







Advice From a Tree

Dear Friend

Stand tall and proud
Sink your roots deeply into the earth
Reflect the light of your true nature
Think long term
Go out on a limb
Remember your place among all living beings
Embrace with joy the changing seasons
For each yields its own abundance
The energy and birth of spring
The growth and contentment of summer
The wisdom to let go the leaves in the fall
The rest and quiet renewal of winter

Feel the wind and the sun
And delight in their presence
Look up at the moon that shines down upon you
And the mystery of the stars at night
Seek nourishment from the good things in life
Simple pleasures
Earth, fresh air, light
Be content with your natural beauty
Drink plenty of water
Let your limbs sway and dance in the breezes
Be flexible
Remember your roots
Enjoy the view!

14 comments:

Keith's Ramblings said...

...and live for hundreds of years! A great analogy!

Marja said...

Beautifully written. I adore trees
as well. We have beautiful big old
trees here in the Botanical gardens in Christchurch. Everytime
I walk around them I feel energised.

Lea said...

Beautiful! These words are a gift indeed. Have you read the "The Wild Trees" by Richard Preston? If not, I think you will enjoy it! Thank you, I love the picture too, the redwood gigantias are some of my favorites...

Barbara said...

A tree's success is so dependent on where its seed is cast. We had a large tree come down in our back yard recently. I have thoroughly enjoying watching two smaller trees now spread their branches and literally grow inches every few days as they can now claim their piece of sky and sun. It makes me appreciate my mobility!

I especially like "remember your roots, enjoy the view!"

meggie said...

I too, love trees, & they seem to have always been important in my life! I loved the trees in the Botanical Gardens in Christchurch too, & feel they are some of the most beautiful trees in the world.

Mother of Invention said...

It's such good advice and has universal application. Thanks!

Roberta S said...

'Tis a poem "as lovely as a tree" and such excellent advice for every day living as well. Thanks for sharing, Pauline.

Anonymous said...

We have a huge old oak at the top of our road & I'd recently read that if three people couldn't quite touch hands in a group tree hug, the likelihood was that it was in excess of 700 years old. We couldn't so it is, which delighted us greatly!

Flea said...

How beautiful, I love the way you express the seasons.
My blog problem is sorted in case you had trouble too get in too ;-)

Cheryl Finley said...

This is beautiful! I LOVE trees and the poem is exquisite..speaks to my soul. My blogging friend Annie told me about your site via my blog post "Living Strong Mandala" which you can see here:

http://artineveryday.blogspot.com/2007/09/living-strong-mandala.html

I was so inspired by your post, I mention it in mine too, so more people can see it...OK with you?
Enjoy your day,
Cheryl

riseoutofme said...

Ah ... the wisdom of trees .... if only we listened more carefully.

Lee said...

Beautiful tree. Wise tree.

Anonymous said...

Your roots go deep, and restore us with shade.

Jean said...

J'aime beaucoup ce poème ainsi que la photo .
L'arbre est vivant , l'arbre , c'est une partie de nous .