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Kathleen Bittner Roth | The Essence of a Tree
September 2, 2014
I grew up in Minnesota, which essentially means I grew up in the middle of
a forest. Except for the evergreens, in the dead of winter we were surrounded by
trees stripped bare by the previous autumn winds. Naked branches splayed dark
against the chill-gray sky like so many spidery veins on an old man’s hand.
Despite the starkness of winter, even as a child, I found an inherent beauty in
the season. I still do. And when flocked with a thick layer of snow, winter
trees carry a magical essence that takes my breath away. When I was a child, my mother once suggested that I might gain an interesting,
non-judgmental perspective of life, and the world we live in, by imagining
things this way: If an alien being landed on earth in northern Minnesota in
freezing January, and having never seen a tree, would the being think this was
the permanent landscape of the entire earth? Would this alien have the capacity to perceive a life that defies description
hidden inside the bare branches? How would one convey to him or her (or it) that
in just a few months, juicy green sprouts would burst forth? And those sprouts
would grow at a fast clip of one-fourth to one-half inch daily until they’d
unfurl into bright green leaves of varying hues and shapes? Could the alien
comprehend that given a bit more time, and this abundant growth would become a
thick canopy providing shade from the hot summer sun? Let still more time pass,
and the same juicy green leaves would transform into a riot of red and gold
blazing the landscape. How could an alien standing before a bone-bare winter tree realize these living
miracles provide homes for animals and birds, feed the planet, provide necessary
gases for the earth’s survival, provide us with fuel, shelter, syrups, and so
on? Given this perspective, the stark January trees took on a whole new meaning
after my wise mother’s little talk—something I never forgot. Today, as I sit at a desk before a large window, on an upper floor in my
friend’s Texas home, the day is filled sunshine and blue skies (I was outside
earlier—it’s so hot and sultry, candles would surely melt on the sidewalks). I
stare at the trees, at their leafy branches stretching majestically to the sky.
Suddenly, I realize something: trees are little different from you and me. To
the casual observer we may each be of a certain stature, skin color, hair color
and personality. But travel through the seasons with us, watch us grow and
unfurl, and we, too, will likely burst forth in riotous colors of various hues. Like trees, there are those of us who will remain as saplings, and shrivel under
the canopy of another, die without ever seeing the sun, too weak to fight on his
or her behalf. Others will become oaks who take years to mature, but when the
time comes to unfurl, they will filled with unbreakable strength. We might be
left to wonder how some managed to survive at all after the abuse heaped upon
them, but rise they do, sturdy and strong, filled with power and able to uplift
others. Years ago, I made the decision that I would not be one of those saplings
who shriveled and failed to thrive. I vowed to do whatever it took to grow
strong and mature. I’ve had stages of growth, as most people have, but I never
dreamed I’d end up being the oak, and that it would take me a long while to find
my true essence. Relaxing and going with the flow of life, not pushing the
river, actually speeded the process for me. Just for today, what if you became the essence of a tree? What if you took time
off and allowed yourself to lie dormant for a few hours? By allowing subtle
dormancy on the surface, doing only what is necessary, perhaps you’d serve your
deep inner self, thereby allowing another part of you to emerge. Soon, new ideas
would bloom, and you’d change and grow as you unfolded and found new aspects of
yourself. By allowing yourself to flow with the rhythm of the seasons, you would be
allowing the path of your life to take place of its own accord. You wouldn’t be
just “letting it happen without a plan,” for I truly believe that life has its
own plans for us, buried deep within our souls. And if we can get quiet and
learn to listen, we’ll hear the whispers of our destiny. We’ll be able to
nurture those parts of ourselves as yet untouched, allow them to blossom as was
naturally intended. What if you set aside thirty minutes of your day to go dormant, to get quiet,
empty your mind of thought, and let whatever is inside you naturally emerge
without forcing anything? What if you did this for an entire year—moving through
the seasons in sync with nature’s rhythm? Perhaps, just perhaps, one year of trying it nature’s way and you might
experience a miracle of one kind or another. At the very least, I’ll wager
you’ll give the gifts and talents you never knew you possessed a chance to
emerge. I tried it and it worked for me. Comment below on how you find time for yourself to get quiet and listen to your
inner self or how you plan to start setting aside thirty minutes of solitude
each day—one winner will be chosen to receive a print copy of A DUKE'S WICKED KISS. About Kathleen Once Kathleen Bittner
Roth realized making a living was not the same as making a life, she blazed
her own trail by founding a successful well-being center, walking on fire,
marrying in a castle in Scotland, scuba diving in dangerous waters, and learning
to ride her Arabian horse English style. She has somehow managed to live in six
U.S. states and several foreign countries. Currently residing in Budapest,
Hungary, she still keeps one boot in Texas and the other in her home state of
Minnesota. Kathleen considers writing Victorian romance a wonderful venue for creating
characters faced with difficult choices, and who are forced to draw on their
strength of spirit in order to overcome adversity and find unending love. A member of Hearts Through History Romance Writers, and The Golden Network
chapters of Romance Writers of America®, Kathleen has been a frequent guest on
radio and television, and on various writing blogs. She has won or been a
finalist in numerous writing contests, including the prestigious 2012 Romance
Writers of America Golden Heart® with A DUKE'S WICKED KISS.
Comments
21 comments posted.
Re: Kathleen Bittner Roth | The Essence of a Tree
I would really like the chance to read this book. Thank you for allowing me to enter this contest and good luck to everyone.
(Renae Kelly 11:52am September 2, 2014)
I try to find some quiet time for myself everyday... listen to music that is relaxing... read a book... take time to look outside and see what Nature has to share.
(Colleen Conklin 1:13pm September 2, 2014)
What a lovely essay, Kathleen. I've heard the thoughts about
winter trees and aliens before, but it's a timeless idea.
Thanks for the reminder. My "alone" time involves prayer. In
addition to 20-40 minutes of specific prayer time, I'll take
a few moments through the day, depending on the needs, for
further spiritual communion.
(Virginia Boylan 4:17pm September 2, 2014)
Just been reading Adam Nicolson's Sissinghurst, a chapter all about how the trees colonized the southern part of England as the Ice Ages melted away--that lovely chapter and your sensitive words are all blurring together in my mind as a wonderful mental picture to enrich the day!
(Beppie Harrison 4:40pm September 2, 2014)
how do I find time for myself to get quiet and listen to my inner self or how I plan to start setting aside thirty minutes of solitude each day? I think most of the time this is the 30 minutes or more it takes me to decompress before I go to sleep. the days are just so stressful that it is near impossible to tune everything out for time for myself.
(Angela Parrish 4:44pm September 2, 2014)
Thanks for the chance to win. I have tons of time to myself so I do not really find it a novelty as most people.
(Sally Hannoush 4:49pm September 2, 2014)
I try to use my son's morning nap time as my alone/quiet time. I've found that if
I don't take that, I don't really get any time for myself otherwise with a young son
running around and trying to take care of him, my hubby, and the house.
(Abby Thorne 5:39pm September 2, 2014)
I try to allow time every day for a long walk...that's the perfect time to center myself. I've also done yoga practices a couple of times a week, a habit I've let fall to the wayside but plan to resume.
Lovely essay, Kathleen! Beautiful images!
(Tara Kingston 5:49pm September 2, 2014)
I'm horrible on trying to just chill. Too many things going
on... Great essay Kathleen.
(Lynn Cahoon 6:50pm September 2, 2014)
I take no less than a half hour upon waking every day to
read from several spiritually inspired daily reflection
books and to meditate on what I've read and consider what
I'd like my day to bring. I do the same at night before
going to sleep with thanks for all my blessings. I've been
doing this for nearly 3 years now and I have the most
unbelievable serenity throughout each day!! I love what you
wrote about the trees! I live in Texas and am surrounded by
Pines and Oaks in my area and will be thinking of you as I
sit quietly in nature in my neck of the woods! Your Mother
sounds like a very special person!! Thank you!!
(Jody Watkins 7:23pm September 2, 2014)
Sensitive, Beautiful post, Kathleen! I have times alone when I drive. Here's to more unfurling.
(Barbara Bettis 8:21pm September 2, 2014)
Simply beautiful! Thanks for the reminder!
(Carla Kempert 9:33pm September 2, 2014)
Unlike most people who you have asked to set aside time for
their inner self, I have done this for about 35 years now.
I am unique in my thinking as my quiet time is when I live
the house for work and until I get home that day it is my
time. Time for me to do something for myself. Add to that,
I take the bus/train to work each day so my time is extended
with not interruptions from more outside forces and allows
me to unwind so that I do not bring my work home with me. I
have my biological children, adopted and foster children,
grandchildren from all of my kids and this gives me such joy
to see them and do things with them but makes it easier to
do the trek to work on the bus/train each day. Most would
say I am a Red Wood: tall, sturdy, solid, unbreakable and
dependablily comforting.
(Tina Ullrich 12:48pm September 3, 2014)
If I want time to myself, I try to go down the road to the
beach, and walk along the shore, looking for beach glass and
unusual stones, or just to sit and watch the ships and
waves. To me, that's tranquility!!! If the weather doesn't
permit it, I'll just put some music on the radio, and either
open a book, or pull out whatever knitting I'm working on
for the class that I volunteer to teach once a week. There
are also a lot of trees and some acreage where I live, and
if I feel up to it, I can always go for a walk, or just sit
outside, and watch the birds that we feed, or watch them
right outside my window. There are always new kinds of
birds coming, that I haven't identified yet!!
(Peggy Roberson 9:48am September 3, 2014)
I find it so hard to find time just for me....Will now try harder....Thanks
(Carrie Conley 4:15pm September 3, 2014)
Is it sad to admit that I find my quiet time in the
bathroom? Although, occasionally when my husband goes to
bed and I turn off the TV, the bunnies and I share quiet
moments together. And sometimes when I get home from school
and sit down in the recliner, I fall asleep. At that point,
my husband comes in and looks at us and makes some smart
comment about how we're all sleeping. (Yes, I have two
bunnies that live in my rec room. They're mine. His live
in the hutches outside.)
(Marcia Berbeza 10:18pm September 3, 2014)
After raising my 7 children the very thought of time for me was a wonderful idea. Everyday I find myself seeking out some solitude just to be. No thoughts or worries. I play my favorite music and just sink into total relaxation.It was hard to achieve at first but now I have it down. :) Thanks for the interesting post and the chance to win.
Carol L
Lucky4750 (at) aol (dot) com
(Carol Luciano 7:44am September 4, 2014)
Now that I am retired I have time to read and I love it! I would love to read this book and I thank you for the chance to win it!
(Bonnie Capuano 9:45am September 4, 2014)
Thanks for the sweepstakes. This sounds like a terrific read. It sounds like one that would make me forget the present and lose myself in the past.
(Anna Speed 12:47pm September 4, 2014)
I always take time every day for myself and I always do the
same thing I hunker down with my kindle and I read. I love
to read I usually spend more than 30 but that is what I do
no matter what.
(Denise Austin 1:43pm September 4, 2014)
Would love to read the book. Thanks.
(Charline Bonham 4:25pm September 6, 2014)
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