Be Like A Tree...

Trust the process of letting dead things fall away

It’s the week when the trees becomes extra magical where I live…

Friend,

Our earth is so full of beauty.

I live in region where the seasonal changes feel magical–through this last week, I noticed more trees changing vibrant colors. Red, gold, magenta, orange: the trees are like an impressionist painting come to life.

Then, in a month or so, these beautiful leaves will die and fall away.

This process reminds me of a favorite poem, Autumn by Rainer Maria Rilke:

The leaves are falling, falling from afar,
from distant gardens wilting in the heavens;
they fall as if refusing their descent.

And in the nights, through lonely firmament,
the grave earth falls, away from every star.

We’re falling, each of us. This hand here bends.
And look at others: it is in them all.

And yet there is One capturing each fall
within his infinitely gentle hands.

I love that final image, being caught in gentle hands.

Any kind of letting go–releasing old patterns, beliefs or behaviors that no longer serve us–requires trust in our transformation. Trust that we will be held in our changing.

For today’s creative prompt, let’s gather inspiration from the trees–and imagine how it might feel to let dead things fall away.

Writing Practice: Set aside 5-7 minutes for this practice. Write in a journal or open a ‘Journey with The Season’ document where you can return each Sunday. You can hear me guide you through today’s writing prompt at the arrow above.

Prompt: Rumi writes, “Be like a tree. Let the dead leaves drop.”

Imagine yourself as a tree in autumn. Imagine a specific kind of tree, see yourself full of leaves and life. Maybe animals scurry over your branches, maybe you hold fruit or flowers. Describe the process, from your tree perspective, of transforming and then letting go.

As you write, you can weave in those ‘dead leaves’ from your own life…old patterns, beliefs or behaviors that no longer serve you.

Open to the guidance of what your tree self has to say!

I’d love to read whatever tree wisdom came up for you! Send it my way.

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Deepening Practice: Take in the beauty of trees around you, whether you live in a place where the foliage is changing colors or not. Journal about what you see. Through the week, use Rumi’s message as a mantra: “Be like a tree. Let the dead leaves drop.” Journal about what comes up for you.

Wishing you a week of letting go–and trusting! Much love, Gabrielle Ariella

Thanks to the beautiful women who joined October’s Inner Wisdom Circle–time with nature, creativity and community. If you live in the Philly area, join us in November!