The Sun Shines Not On Us But In Us. . .

“Here is calm so deep, grasses cease waving. . . . Wonderful how completely everything in wild nature fits into us, as if truly part and parent of us. The sun shines not on us but in us. The rivers flow not past, but through us, thrilling, tingling, vibrating every fiber and cell of the substance of our bodies, making them glide and sing. The trees wave and the flowers bloom in our bodies as well as our souls, and every bird song, wind song, and; tremendous storm song of the rocks in the heart of the mountains is our song, our very own, and sings our love.”

~ John Muir

The Giving Trees. . .

“Trees give peace to the souls of men.” ~ Nora Waln

I’ve had strong connections to trees for as long as I can remember. My first “Art Show” first place award in grade school was a pencil drawing of a tree. My happy place is always a walk in the woods.

My most profound experience in life came from an hour long chemo session back in 2013 when I stared out a window at the Cancer Center at a beautiful oak that was just coming into it’s new leaves. . . around April. . . and I just found myself finding ease and peace at the miracle before me. I remember studying all of the “negative” space between branches and twigs. . . seeing the “tree” in two forms. . . negative and positive. Which after surviving the chemo and the cancer proved to be how I envisioned the whole experience going forward.

I would love if the whole of humanity had the experience of being with trees, and silence and self. . . just breathe it in, and out. That should be a primary lesson in each person’s education. See that we’re all connected, feel that we’re all connected. Connect.

Then, the simplest thing like bringing a reusable bag into a store should be the easiest way to please ourselves and our friends, the giving trees.

~ Brad

PS: I’d love to hear your comments on connections with trees and nature. It would definitely help fuel new material based on your experiences. Peace!

Happy Earth Day

Hope you all are having a great Earth Day and making a difference. Peter and I wanted to make sure we got our first new material posted today as it is one way we can take action and make a difference. In our homes, every day is Earth Day, but it’s wonderful to have one day where we connect in a united way across the globe. Please share your thoughts and any activities that you are involved in that we all might want to know about! Mother’s Day is a couple of weeks away, but Mother Earth’s Day is today. . . and so I share an old gem of a Green Tune from Tom Rush, “Mother Earth” . . .