Be Like a Tree (How To Stay Heart-Centered in a Sometimes Heartless World)

Sometimes life serves you shit stew…one challenge and complication after another. Sometimes the world seems like one big shit stew, one crisis and tragedy and generally shitty situation after another. How to navigate the pits of life - both personal and in the world - on a daily basis without losing your balance?

Recently I asked this question in my journal and listened for the answer. The response was immediate, quiet, and simple and it didn’t disappoint: be like a tree. What does it mean? In a nutshell: stay connected to your heart.

I’m convinced that trees - and also animals and rivers and mountains - hold our crazy world together, in more ways than just physically. Trees process carbon dioxide and give us oxygen, and they just ARE. They are there as we walk in nature, as we sit under them and cry and pound the earth, as we hug them, and even as we fail to notice them completely. Trees are unconditional, silent and unwavering. They may be damaged or uprooted from time to time by strong storms, and they are subject to the havoc we wreak on them with chainsaws and deforestation. But even as one tree falls, others around it stay rooted and strong. Stuff can be going really poorly in the world, and trees are there regardless.

Kind of like a tree, your human heart is a powerhouse of energy and intelligence. Think of a person or an animal you love or have loved, and feel the surge of sensation in your chest. When you love, you’re connected to the energy in your heart. If you are numb to the actual physical sensation of your heart, you can relearn this connection by focusing your attention there. When something around you goes wrong, or someone around you is spiraling into negativity, try focusing on your heart. Place your hand on your chest and breathe in and out from this place. You may find that your heart sensation increases as you focus on it, and also during tough times. If you can feel the sensation in your heart without attaching a story to it, you may notice that it feels kind of pleasant. 

A disclaimer: I’m not suggesting that you never react or feel unpleasant feelings. When stuff happens that I don’t want, I often experience anger, fear or sadness. These emotions are all important to feel. The point is to allow it fully and let the energy pass. By noticing your heart sensations, you anchor yourself in the present, and in love. This is especially important if those around you are losing their shit. Rather than reacting to them, or joining them in negative emotion when you don’t want to, stay in your heart. 

Staying focused in your heart isn’t a flashy feeling; it feels rather simple and quiet. This is not about trying to be better than others around you, or convincing them to follow you. This is about staying centered in love no matter what’s going on around you. It’s about being constant, still and unwavering like a tree. 

Try it out and let me know what happens! Better yet, schedule a free connection call with me and we’ll explore growing your roots deep. May your week be filled with self-love and rich insights. With love, Amy ♡♡♡