Fall Foliage

I am in awe of the tree. I frequently bring it into counseling as a  metaphor for our lives. I see the tree as a tool for grounding, balance and resilience and guide clients in visualizations of becoming like the tree in their own energy. So, what is it about trees that elicits this response in me?
Have you ever seen a tree that is two hundred years old? Its roots plunge deep into the earth with both solidity and gracefulness. Looking at a tree is like gazing into the eyes of an old soul; you can feel the wisdom emanating from within; she is not going anywhere and is comfortable in her own skin.
Can we say that? How many times do we want to run from ourselves?
Trees have the amazing ability to be foundational, stable and flexible under any circumstance. It is extraordinary that a tree can withstand warm, hot, cool, cold, snow, sun, wind, rain, hail, ice and storm and still stand strong. It is precisely because it is rooted so powerfully that it is capable of resilience. When we, too are grounded in our core, we can adapt to our ever-changing circumstances and environment. It is then that we can bend and sway but not break when life comes at us; we can be with life as it is, maintaining our self-esteem, confidence and personal power. We can be passionate and protected at the same time.
It doesn't matter if your mother says something critical or you have a difficult night with your boyfriend; if you suffer a real loss or feel stress. If your core is solid and your path is clear, then nothing can take you away from your vision ultimately becoming your reality. It is the decision to allow you to stay connected to you, no matter what, that is most important. What are your goals; your dreams and your passions? Who are you and who do you desire to be? No one and no thing can take you away from your truth; unless you say so.
As the seasons change, the tree adapts as well, shedding, growing and changing colors to match the environment needed to survive and to thrive. What do we need to do to adapt more easily to our surroundings yet stay in our core? What leaves do we have to shed? What new colors do we need to bring in? Perhaps you decide to let go of the sadness of a relationship ended and shift into possibility and hope. Maybe you try something completely new and colorful in your life; something you've always wanted to do but never dared.
Yesterday, when I drove up to the Berkshires with a friend to see the fall leaves, we were overwhelmed by the beauty of perfection. Each of the hundreds of trees had an aura of godliness surrounding it. As we drove through canopy after canopy of color; reds, burnt reds, bright yellows and oranges, we understood the mystical nature of the tree.
We are given the gift of nature to teach us how to live according to our truth. A tree can only be a tree; a cloud a cloud. They know no different than to be who they are; perfect as they are. Because we are given the gift of cognitive ability, we begin to question the rightness of who we are. Let us use our minds not to criticize ourselves, not to question ourselves or put ourselves down, but to enhance the already-existing perfection of who we are. When we begin to embrace ourselves as perfect, we  start to take on the beauty of the tree; some of us red, some yellow and some orange; some with leaves and some without, but all perfect exactly as we are. It is from this place that we truly live.