Let yourself be inspired by Mary Oliver’s (September 10, 1935–January 17, 2019) beautiful poem:

I am so distant from the hope of myself,
in which I have goodness, and discernment,
and never hurry through the world
but walk slowly, and bow often.

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…. Long before I read this, I discovered for myself the healing power of surrounding oneself with trees. I would seek their company when I felt depleted of energy, lonely or hopeless, and on my long walks through the woods, I would recognize shapes and patterns that looked familiar. Sometimes I would feel drawn towards a particular tree, and I would approach it carefully. After having asked for its permission, I would sometimes stand close enough to put my arms around it, and hug it for what seemed a long time. As our bodies slowly begin to merge into one, I would feel hope, power and energy re-entering that limited self that I suddenly feel I am, leaning against the sturdy trunk of something so much bigger than myself.

Read Mary Oliver’s poem “When I am among the trees”:

“When I am among the trees,
especially the willows and the honey locust,
equally the beech, the oaks and the pines,
they give off such hints of gladness.
I would almost say that they save me, and daily.
I am so distant from the hope of myself,
in which I have goodness, and discernment,
and never hurry through the world
but walk slowly, and bow often.
Around me the trees stir in their leaves
and call out, “Stay awhile.”
The light flows from their branches.
And they call again, “It’s simple,” they say,
“and you too have come
into the world to do this, to go easy, to be filled
with light, and to shine.”