Sunday, November 15, 2009

The trouble tree

In my front yard I have a most beautiful deadora "evergreen" tree that has deep roots, a large trunk and branches that reach to heaven. Some many years ago I had read an email that talked of a man that would touch a tree before he entered his house leaving his troubles on the tree. The tree in my front yard has become my trouble tree and when work gives me the blues, or I am upset about anything, I walk out to the tree, place my hands on it and let the tree absorb my troubles. I always feel better after touching the trouble tree. Some days I just touch the tree on my way to the car so that the day just starts on the peaceful note. I guess I imagine the trees deep roots can take my problems and bury them deeply. Something about that tree reminds me of God's forgiveness, just touching the tree is the way of God's love and compassion, God forgives each moment so quickly, God renews so tenderly and if only we just believe we are healed we are. Today I need to hug the tree.....

Thursday, November 12, 2009

Knowing what I value is my compass to freedom

In order to begin to free myself from the chains of prison: attachments as written about in my previous blog, I am becoming more aware of what I value. Some years ago I wrote a list of 50 things I valued including my faith, my family, my friends, gardening, quiet time, writing and decorating, and ultimately this list I developed over several months has become a compass for the choices I make in life. I choose to sit in quiet meditation as a way of deepening my faith, or taking trips to see family members so as to stay connected. I have even given up job promotions/opportunities that would prohibit my ability to have time for partaking of the things I value. As I continue to move from feeling stuck in my own prison of attachment, I am actually finding that as I focus on what I value I remove the shackles of my need for security and essentially free myself. The journey continues as it is easy to fall back into the trap of clinging to security and locking my own prison door. In reflecting on this blog, I am wondering if the 50 things I value might also be "attachments". This too I will ponder. For now, knowing what I value is my compass to freedom.