NATURE : Communicating with trees

When you feel alone or simply upset or stressed there is a magic possibility to get back to yourself and allow you to feel more confident / relaxed again: get the support of a tree.

How can you do that ?

Situation: You need to "take fresh air" because you do not feel good (for whatever reason really)

What you need: a good pair of shoes to walk (in a forest or park), easy clothes (so that you can become dirty if you sit on the ground),  an old newspaper (to sit on :) and something to write on.

What do you do concretely?
- You head towards a forest or park around your place (the closer the better)
- When you feel it is a quiet and appealing environment, you start looking up around for a tree. Not whatever tree, but an inspiring one. One you feel attracted to or that you specially like or have noticed.
- Once you have found a tree "talking to you", go towards it.
- Observe the tree from a very close angle without touching it. Do you still feel comfortable and attracted to it? Do you feel welcome (that is a very important)? If yes...
- Then install yourself comfortably on the ground or on an old rock or old trunk very close to the tree, lets say 50 cm. Ready to start for 15-30 min depending on your available time.
- Just say hello to the tree (if you have not done this already) with words or in silence, as you wish. No need to touch it.
- You just observe the tree now for about 15-30 min (no need for a time clock, as it should be an easy time): its texture, its size, its roots, its colors, its leaves, its trunk, its height, its width... whatever you can observe with your eyes. Potentially you might want to touch the textures.
- While observing the tree, pay also close attention to your thoughts and what comes up in your mind, what touches you ? what comes up in your mind ? do you recall suddenly a special past situation or future scenario ? Just write down whatever you observe about the tree and about your thoughts. Both can give very valuable information about you.
- Once you feel it is good for you and you have sourced what you needed, you can say bye to the tree and go a bit more distant to it (5-10 m depending on the situation of the tree). Observe it again for another 5-10 min or so, standing, you might see other aspects in this new perspective. Write it down again: what you see in the tree and what are your thoughts, perhaps your feelings.
- Thank the tree for what it has given you. What are the key take aways of this encounter? What is your commitment?