Yes, I’m Officially a Tree Hugger.
There have been many storms weather-wise sweeping across the country in addition to the pandemic chaos being felt throughout the world. Add in my own inner struggles with situations I’ve been working on releasing for a few years – all of which causing me to feel very ungrounded – and my thoughts have been erratic & chaotic, and what I feel in my mind is also reflected in my body.
My sleep has once again been suffering. Just as I’m dozing off, I feel flutters of anxiety beginning, and then full blown sleeplessness.
I think to myself What the hell?! I’ve been doing the work! Why am I still feeling this way?!
The answer is: I Feel.
I feel everything. From all of the human fears and anxieties during this time, to the sadness and anger Mother Earth must be feeling as these same humans have been slowly destroying Her. I can feel Her crying out for us to wake up and stop, as each fire, each flood, each hurricane, and each tornado tears down all we have built while taking advantage of all She provides.
I personally have a love/hate relationship with storms. I love to watch the brilliance of a beautiful lightning show, as well as listen to the rain pattering on my roof. Wind, however, terrifies and excites me both at the same time. And it’s not really the wind that terrifies me, it is wind’s power of destruction that terrifies me.
If it is daylight, I have been known to stand outside during tornado warnings in my area. It’s not that I’m not afraid of the damage it can do, the adrenaline rush from that fear causes me to want to catch a glimpse of its magnificence. I have yet to see one, which is probably a good thing, but I have heard them off in the distance – a sound one never forgets. Tornadoes at night give me an entirely different reaction. I can’t see them coming, and so I am afraid. Like I would have any control over the situation if it were during the day.
Life is kind of the same way. We tend to fear things we cannot see, and try to control them.
Once again, like we have any control! What I know is I do have control of my actions and reactions to whatever is happening in life.
As I was walking through the kitchen this morning, during yet another windy day with over 60 MPH winds, I happened to notice, among all the pine trees on my property, the large cherry tree in the middle of my back yard. While the pine trees swayed and bent with the wind, the cherry tree stood still in all its grandeur. Not even the branches were moving. Right then and there I put on my jacket and went outside directly to this tree. I wrapped my arms around its big solid trunk and just stood. The feeling of holding onto this big, beautiful, majestic tree as the wind whipped all around me, felt glorious.
I could feel my anxieties easing, and I felt more grounded than I had in days. I inhaled deeply through my nose, catching the scent of its rain-soaked bark, and exhaled, sighing out my mouth. I stood there for several moments taking in Mother Nature’s strength and beauty from this tree. At this moment in time, the wind felt amazing. With each exhale I felt the gusts of wind taking all my worries away.
When I went back into the house, I sat and analyzed how I was feeling. I felt lighter and calmer even though the wind was still raging outside. Nature offers us so much. Spring is the time of renewal, growth and rebirth. Summer brings abundance, expansion and growth. Fall represents the harvest, the preservation of life and its basic necessities. And Winter, a time of rest, hibernation, and reflection.
The next time you are outside, stop and be still.
What do you see? What do you smell? What do you hear? There is much to be learned from Nature if we only pay attention.
And in the true spirit of synchronicity, I chose the card La'amaomao, The Goddess of Wind, from the Hawaiian Gods and Goddesses. The meaning of this card is as follows:
La'amaomao • Image via Pinterest
“La'amaomao means distant sacredness. She teaches us that acceptance and atonement are necessary steps on our road to attainment. She lets you know that it’s okay to make mistakes or take some steps back. Mistakes are necessary components in our learning process. She also encourages you to have patience. when we navigate where we want to go, we can only go as fast as the winds will take us. She encourages you to be courageous and not be afraid to go after your dreams. She will guide you gently towards your potential.” *
And so, in learning about La'amaomao, The Goddess of Wind, I have a new perception and appreciation for wind.
*Description courtesy Lori Snider, from Reiki With The Angels
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(She/Her)
The gal behind Held In The Heart. The Community Journal is a space for those who feel deeply to express freely. We explore all sorts of things here, from the real & raw healing stories & creative writing, to the funny & fleeting moments of everyday human life. I warmly welcome you and invite you to explore with us!