Hugging Trees

#86 - Julia Being- Even though we are human beings, we sometimes think to be of any worth we have to accomplish many things, become human doings. This can be a depressing thought in which we endlessly never measure up. I have this remarkable friend who reminds me, without even speaking to her, that I do not have to do anything. She reminds me that my worth is inherent and not something I need to strive for. I need this reminder on a regular basis. Sometimes it comes through a phone call, sometimes, like today, it comes from just the thought of her presence.

#87 - Julia on the Phone - This brings me to another one of my favorite things about Julia. When I talk to Julia on the phone, at times, there are pauses in our conversation - with anyone else that would mean the conversation is over or it's uncomfortable because we don't know what to say next. When there is a pause with Julia, it is like a rest note -

we simply enjoy the silence until the next thing naturally emerges for us to say. I've been hoping, with practice, this could emerge in phone conversations with other people too. It has a little, but Julia definitely is still the master.

#88- My Brother Telling A Guy on our Soccer Team, "Not Again," When He Started Getting Angry - And in general the majority of the people on my teams who are there to get some exercise and have fun.
#89 - Whatever Inspired me in the First Place to Start Hugging Trees - I don't know when I started hugging trees, but I know I've been doing it a long time. This photo is from 1995, encouraging my then 3 yr old cousin to have a connection to nature by hugging a tree.

Why Would I Hug a Tree?

- Unlike people whose moods can make them unreceptive to hugging, trees are available 24/7 for my embrace.

- Hugging a tree acknowledges it. It helps me to recognize its gifts.

- It is in large part because of trees (and other plant life of course), that we can breathe in the first place, and in the second place are not dead yet from our pollution, so a little demonstration of gratitude is more than called for.

- We use trees for everything - to burn for heat and fuel, paper, paper towels, toilet paper, cardboard packaging for food etc., furniture, flooring, building material, food (fruit and nuts), maple syrup, medicines...thanks trees!

- Finally, the main reason I hug trees - it helps me to slow down and just be for a moment, and if I hug one long enough, sometimes, I can feel it hugging me back.

#90 - Being Asked Why I Would Hug a Tree - it gave me something to ponder and write about.

How Many of Me

#81 - http://howmanyofme.com

I just found this website, something I've always wondered... You can find how many people in the U.S. have the same first and last name as you. There are 611 people with my first and last name. There are 8 people named Jason Mraz :) and I checked my friend Laura - 1! Lucky.

#82 - Connection in Writing Class - The woman next to me said she played the cello. I told her I enjoy listening, especially in

Bedtime Stories: A Unique Guided Relaxation Program for Falling Asleep and Entering the World of Dreams by Clarissa Pinkola Estés
It is beautiful storytelling accompanied by a simple cello. The woman was really excited to learn about this!

#83 - My friends's Choices - Change takes time and space. I am so grateful that as a new mother one of my friends has been blessed with, and taken advantage of, the time and space to learn options for raising a child and therefore has choices about what works best for her.

#84 - For Recognizing a Trait in Myself that I Admire in Others - Instead of dreaming of places people want to go, I admire people who take advantage of where they are or are already headed. This came to mind because I am going to Duluth for the state democratic convention. I've been to Duluth many times, but I still checked out a couple books from the library to make it an adventure - to check out independent businesses or see something I haven't before.

#85 - Hugging the Ash Trees in My Front Yard - I thought they wanted a hug when I got home. As I went over I thought, "It's been a long time since I've hugged these trees. Why is that?" I then realized our snow melted really fast, and until just recently they were surrounded by a couple feet of snow.

Choosing the Thing that Scares You

Before I get to today's five - yes that was a dead animal yesterday, a field mouse I think. Why would that be a gratitude? I was grateful to have been paying attention enough to notice it (it was tiny and blended in), I was grateful to examine its beauty, and I was grateful for its life. Now on to #76-80 -


#76 - I awoke in the middle of the night to a Good Dream, I fell back asleep and later I had another one.

#77 - I was choosing between two writing classes - Attentiveness in a Creative and Spiritual Life which feels natural/comfortable and Poetry on the Radio: From Page to Performance which feels scary. I Chose the Class that Scares Me.

#78 - Using my Poems That Sit in a Pile - Tonight I will go through my poems and pick "some of your strongest" for the class which starts tomorrow.

#79 - Listening to Live Music on the Piano

#80 - Health Insurance - Though my major medical health insurance bill went up, as usual, this year, I can still pay for it. May we all be so blessed.

Images of Gratitude

As Far As Eye Meets

#66 - Living in a place with 4 Distinct Seasons


#67- Bats Flying at Dusk

#68 - Independent Businesses



When I drove into Minneapolis today the garbage incinerator was puffing out its pollution. I wanted to take a photo of this for my blog but I thought, "How can I turn this into a gratitude?" Drum roll.....................




#69 - I am grateful to be aware of where my trash ends up, and to hold this in my consciousness even when the incinerator is not in front of me.

#70 - Stopping between the car and my front door to look at the Night Sky

Beautiful Life

#61 - Not Knowing

Do you have the patience to wait

until your mud settles and the water becomes clear?

Can you remain unmoving

til the right action arises by itself?

Tao Te Ching
Stephen Mitchell translation

#62 - Being Present to Enjoy my Uncle Russell on the Phone - (he is developmentally disabled and a complete delight to talk with when I can slow down and just be).

#63 - Bonding with my Dad - at our Senate District Convention today (we always seem to agree on politics.)




#64 - Conversation with Connie Marty - The Martys' (Marty is a state Senator running for governor) had a thank you party for volunteers at their house tonight. I was listening to John Marty talk to someone and just thinking to myself what a beautiful man he is because he is so clearly doing what he loves. I then thought how blessed his partner was to be married to such a man. Soon after Connie sat beside me, she too looked open and real and beautiful. I remarked to her that I am sure there are challenges, but they have a beautiful life. She then told me a bit of the story of how John ended up in politics and I so clearly saw the symbolism (synchronisities) in their story. I'm sure Connie has told this story many times, but after listening to my response she reflected, "I've never thought of it that way before."

#65 - Hearing Easy Silence by the Dixie Chicks on the radio, Looking up the Chords when I got Home, and Playing it.

Listen

#56 - The Ability to Hear


#57 - Taking this photo - it energized me

#58- U.S. Treasury Bond - I don't know what this is besides a loan to the government, but on the tax return it said you could use part of your refund to buy one. It isn't too often I feel motivated to learn something new money wise, but I decided to buy a small one and learn something in the process.

#59 - Ukulele Energy Cleanse - When I am on the computer too long I get crabby. This is happening tonight, but I wanted to finish my taxes. I decided to take a brief ukulele break. It really helped. I am getting crabby again because I want to be off the computer and I want to finish this first, so I'll play a few songs when I'm done to clear my negativity. I have never found anything (besides exercise) which does this so well!

#60 - Library - Well I knew this would be on here somewhere. The library is by far one of the best human inventions ever! Every time I might start being bored with the ukulele, a new book comes in with more instruction and songs. I've always used the library for music, movies and reading, of course, but now I am using it to learn to play a musical instrument!