So much unfolds in this story, Candace. Old self evolves into new self, but really it’s oddly reversed. The newest incarnation of us is our oldest self, in terms of time passing. “The child is the father of the man,” says Wordsworth. We couldn’t evolve into who we are now, if it weren’t for who we were when we were younger. All those “mistakes” and naive notions helped to build our wiser beings. And yet, we would do well to hang on to the best parts of our younger selves as we grow along. Hopefully we can keep honing our skills by using the tools of youth, such as curiosity, wonder, and appreciation, to help us stay open to change. I love the image of bright green needles arranged neatly beside dark green to represent the experiences of our lives. This is a very wise tree that can teach us so much about how to live. Thank you for using your wonder-full tools to share it with us!
Oh I love the wisdom that trees impart, when we get quiet and spend time with them 💚 Here in NZ right now, the trees are talking to me of impermanence and the importance of letting go of the old to make space for the new 🍂🍁
I can smell the incense now, Candace! What a lovely post. I, too, have been questioning the narratives of growth, especially how relentlessly we are asked to grow.
This essay brought back lots of memories of the tamarack trees (lodge pole pines) in Truckee. Like your Deodar pine) It's a two-year cycle of shedding leaves. The needles last for two years, but each year, new needles emerge alongside the old. So the old and the new are living together; thus keeping the tree green all the time. As the old needles fall on their second year, yet another batch of new needles emerge. The trees will never be bare or look tortured or dead between new growth. I love your analogy and wish for old and new living and growing together.
I long to be in the hills again! I have such find memories of deodar trees spiralling the mountain side on the way to Uttrakhand in India. Often accompanied by another beautiful tree with bright red flowers - Fire of the Forest the locals call it. Your beautiful essay reminded me of the peace and calm and wisdom trees bring to us.
How wonderful to hear what sacred wisdom the tree 🌳 wanted to share, thanks for sharing it with us. It also made me think that sometimes it just takes a little longer to see the evidence of change/growth/or new things begin to manifest in our lives. But the beginnings of it are already within, and they will someday be seen. 🙏🏻😌
So much unfolds in this story, Candace. Old self evolves into new self, but really it’s oddly reversed. The newest incarnation of us is our oldest self, in terms of time passing. “The child is the father of the man,” says Wordsworth. We couldn’t evolve into who we are now, if it weren’t for who we were when we were younger. All those “mistakes” and naive notions helped to build our wiser beings. And yet, we would do well to hang on to the best parts of our younger selves as we grow along. Hopefully we can keep honing our skills by using the tools of youth, such as curiosity, wonder, and appreciation, to help us stay open to change. I love the image of bright green needles arranged neatly beside dark green to represent the experiences of our lives. This is a very wise tree that can teach us so much about how to live. Thank you for using your wonder-full tools to share it with us!
Beautiful. I can see this as a textile wall art piece!
Oh I love the wisdom that trees impart, when we get quiet and spend time with them 💚 Here in NZ right now, the trees are talking to me of impermanence and the importance of letting go of the old to make space for the new 🍂🍁
I can smell the incense now, Candace! What a lovely post. I, too, have been questioning the narratives of growth, especially how relentlessly we are asked to grow.
I love the idea of the old and the new growing together. This is a lovely post, Candace. Thank you!
This essay brought back lots of memories of the tamarack trees (lodge pole pines) in Truckee. Like your Deodar pine) It's a two-year cycle of shedding leaves. The needles last for two years, but each year, new needles emerge alongside the old. So the old and the new are living together; thus keeping the tree green all the time. As the old needles fall on their second year, yet another batch of new needles emerge. The trees will never be bare or look tortured or dead between new growth. I love your analogy and wish for old and new living and growing together.
This is beautiful! Absolutely love it 💫 🌲
I love how you painted a really beautiful metaphor of oneness
So lovely. I love seeing your word pictures.
I long to be in the hills again! I have such find memories of deodar trees spiralling the mountain side on the way to Uttrakhand in India. Often accompanied by another beautiful tree with bright red flowers - Fire of the Forest the locals call it. Your beautiful essay reminded me of the peace and calm and wisdom trees bring to us.
Love this one!
Love this. I’m from the Pacific Northwest and have grown up around evergreens 🌲 💚
How wonderful to hear what sacred wisdom the tree 🌳 wanted to share, thanks for sharing it with us. It also made me think that sometimes it just takes a little longer to see the evidence of change/growth/or new things begin to manifest in our lives. But the beginnings of it are already within, and they will someday be seen. 🙏🏻😌
Really beautiful. Thank you so much for sharing.
This is so beautiful . Thank you for sharing this beautiful story with us, it felt very calming to read it.
Wonderful post! The image behind the essay is beautiful- the words as well. Love the metaphor.