Tree Dances

Energy created after singing and dancing
around a tree. (January 21, 2016)

A tree dance is a form of gratitude and reverence performed by dancing and singing to a tree or trees. I set an intention to connect lovingly with the tree(s). I bow and ask the tree if I can sing a song and dance for it. Sometimes I hear, "yes",  in that case, I start to sing and dance.

Sometimes I hear, "no". Truly, it can be.  When the answer is no, I ask, "what can I do for you?" Some trees and nature spirits want people to clean up the garbage in the area.  It only takes a few minutes and it helps all beings: trees, animals, insects, water, earth, air and even humans.  So I will totally cleanup the area.  Other trees do not want to have anything to do with people and the answer is "do not bother me."  When I hear that type of answer, I immediately say, "thank you for answering" and walk away.  I can try another day.

Lesson: Do NOT force your energy on anything or anyone.  This is important to remember always. (I did not expect to write that part but it is important to mention.)

Once I finish clearing the area I state my intention of gratitude and respect to the tree. I wait a few moments for the song to form and then I dance.  Each tree has its own energy and sense of humour. Yes it has a sense of humour especially for staying in one place for many years.  

For many years, I sang and danced around trees.
But this image is the first time I felt compelled to
draw the energy I co-created with a tree.
(September 2015)

During a tree dance, I allow myself to feel the energies completely.  This brings different sensation and images to me as I'm dancing.  Emotions of joy or sadness come up to be released.  I find that most times, I giggle or laugh once I finish dancing.  Some dances are 5 minutes while others can last over 1 hour.  

After I finish a tree dance, I take the time to listen for any additional insights that may come up.  Most messages are directed towards personal development whereas some messages are about bring more peace to the world.  For many years, I would only sing and dance but in September 2015, I felt compelled to draw the energies that I co-created with a tree. I did not realized how important this first drawing was until later.

Why am I sharing this now?   Well, it's a matter of process really.

The original image was created in pen and
in my journal on October 14, 2015.
I created this image on December 9, 2015.

I only shared my tree dances with a few people.  It was a private and personal experience.  However, I felt compelled to continue singing and dancing around trees.  

This was created on April 1, 2016.

Some energies required expression and documenting immediately so I drew them in my private journal.  A tree dance helps the person as well as the tree.  Trees live much longer than most humans and when we listen to the messages we can gain wisdom and insights to the patterns of life.

Drawn directly in my journal (April 16, 2016).

You'll notice that back in 2016, I decided to walk away from my tree dances because it was not what you would say, "normal."  But over the months, I felt a push to return to nature and continue to sing and dance.  I tried making art with nature instead.  Here are two pieces that I created back in August of 2016.

Beginning of August

Then on August 11, 2016, I called my father and we spoke for 4 hours.  I shared my desires to teach people and children about nature, fairies, angels, art, music and dancing.   My father told me to take a chance and trust myself.  "It's time to charge people for your work."  As we were talking, I created this art piece.

August 11, 2016

After getting off the phone with my father, I became fascinated by some rain.  You can see my reaction to it in this video.  Oh how amazing nature can be. You'll notice how my fascination changed to annoyance once I got the message.  Snort.  

                                   
                              

So the process is all about following the messages of your heart, spirit and the beauty of nature.  I realized that running away from a tree dance experience is not healthy for me or nature.  My guidance continues to lead me to sharing tree dances with others.  The image below came to me after meditating on the messages of the previous day.  Now is the time to share.  It's about a year later than August 2016 but it's time to dance again.

On August 12, 2016 this message and image came to me.

One more piece I want to share with you. This is Merry Bell and she is offering a rose to everyone.  She reminds us to be open to the love of spirit and our hearts.  "Follow that which makes your heart sing and shine."   

Let's dance together.  Sending you deep love and gratitude.

Children's Music

I've always loved to sing children's music.  Kids' songs would pop into my mind throughout the day.  I would either hum or sing them under my breath.  I have some favourites which will always be with me.

Here is a list in no particular order.

1) Mr. Sun
2) I'm a Little Teapot (I love to do the actions for this song)
3) This Old Man
4) Teddy Bear Picnic
5) Oats, Peas, Beans and Barley
6) The Happy Wanderer
7) Getting to Know You
8) Alouette
9) One Bottle of Pop
10) Zip-A-Dee-Doo-Dah

Of course there are many more songs.  Also, I love other songs that are not considered to be children's songs.

1) Here comes the Sun
2) Dancing in the Street
3) The 59th Street Bridge Song  (Below, I am singing this song. Snort. I was so excited.)

Last year, I was playing with my Olympus sound recorder and captured this a recording that reminded me that I loved to sing children's music.  I decided to make a short video using a picture of me back in 2011.  I'm not sure what is going to happen in my life but songs keeps coming up.  The only thing I can do is share them.

Enjoy.

Exploring Life Through Art

I haven't posted for a while.  My life seems to keep shifting and changing which is a good thing.
I am writing privately about my mother's death but I'm not ready to share openly my feelings or thoughts about it.

However, I do want to share some art that I created since last summer.  I continued to work with pencil crayons and created these two pieces.

Embryo

Cultivation

Over the months, I found working with soft pastel to be quite fun.  I allowed the colours to flow and I created this.

Dancing

I decided to try using darker colours.  I moved quickly with this piece and it formed into something I did not expect.

Couples Dance

After creating the two piece above, I try to consciously create flames.  I had no idea how it would work.  I added layers of orange, red, and yellow.  Once I stared into the flames, I saw a pair of kind eyes coming out of them.  That's why I drew eyes in the picture.  When I stared at the piece after it was done, I felt overwhelmed with emotions.  I could not look at it for the longest time.  It was too surreal.  I realized later that it was about passion with compassion, life force and love. 

Compassionate Eyes

Weeks went by and I focused on studying Life Skills Coaching. After a week of intense learning, I took time to do more art.  This was created.

Removing the Clutter

During the Fall of 2014, I attended a college program and had no time to do any personal writing or art work.  I focused on the studies where most of my writing was geared to assignments or presentations.  Of course I wrote in my journal but that's for me. 

On January 11th, 2015, my mother passed away.  At my mother's funeral, I sang a song I wrote back in 2014, "Watching Over You". (Again, this is all I want to share about mom's death at this time.)

Weeks after my mom's death, I pulled out the art supplies and went to work.  This piece took time to create.  At first, I thought I was creating a peacock yet something else emerged.

Eyes on You

At the end of the January, I was debating continuing my classes. I was not sure if it was the right direction for me.  I decided to stay on course.  I wrote in my journal during that time.  I wanted to make a tree that shown my roots and new directions.  I found that my art decided to morph into something else.  Whenever I create art, morphing art normally happens.

Untitled Piece

I have more art pieces that I created during that time but they are not completed or do I want to share them at this time.

In July, I started to do art work again, which I want to share.  I found that nature really calls out to me.  I had some amazing experiences with dragonflies and wanted to draw one.  This is what was created instead.

Rebalancing

Recently, I visited the Petroglyphs Provincial Park where I saw two feminine symbols that inspired me. This piece below is my most recent creation.

Taking Root

I'm sure there will be more to come, until time next.  Much love! 

A Walk With Nature

There are many times when I strolled down the street and noticed animals doing what they do.  It’s quite amazing to see how some creatures don’t even notice people unless they are moving. 

On a summer's day, I was walking along Coxwell Avenue.  There was a long stretch of grass and a small area which I never seen before.  Midway down the street under the path was a pipe that emptied onto the ground.  I heard a noise and stopped to see what was busily working there.  I saw a groundhog drinking water.  I quietly crouched down low so that I didn’t frighten it.  It had no care in the world while it enjoyed the water and lifted its head once or twice.  It was completely peaceful until someone walked by me.  The groundhog ran for cover and I walked away.

I continued on my journey to the lake.  At the foot of Coxwell Avenue there was a small water area for boats to dock.  In the middle was a swan.  I kneeled by the rocks and whispered to the swan to come to me.  I’m not sure what I was thinking because it swam closer and then I remember that swans like their personal space and can get angry.  I said, “I don’t have anything for you I just wanted to look at you.”  It probably didn’t even hear me but it stopped and plunged its head in the water.  I was extremely close to the swan and I observed it.  How awesome to be near a bird that wasn’t afraid of me?  The swan finally swam away and I bid it farewell.

How could my walk top that experience? Well, I decided to wander to the sandy beach.  I walked barefoot on the hot sand. Ouch, ouch, okay, I was hopping across the sand.  I stopped at the edge of the water and squished my toes in the wet sand.  The water rolled over the tops of my toes and then my feet.  It was refreshing to feel the cool water.  I started kicking the mud up and out towards the water each time the waves covered my feet with soothing mud.  I tossed my shoes behind me and rolled up my jeans to my knees.

I splashed and jumped in the waves. Then I leaned over and dipped my fuzzy, curly hair in the water.  I flipped it and water dripped down my back.  It was colder on my neck then on my feet.  There were a few clouds in the sky and they seemed to dance infront of the sun but never for too long.  Within moments, I watched seagulls catch small fish in the shallow waters.  Little insects were swarming in varies areas along the edge of the water. 

I raised my arms in the air pretending to soar with the seagulls.  They seemed to fly over my head and I sang to them.  They sang back.  I felt the pebbles under my feet and I pushed them aside as I dug my feet into the sand under the water.  I wanted to feel earth, air and water at the same time.  Children on the beach were throwing pebbles and skipping stones.  Dogs were off leash and running across the edge of the water.  Some dogs came up to smell my hands before passing me.  I continued to play within the elements of the day’s sun.  The gentle wind pushed the waves further on to the beach. 

I had my full and decided it was time to head home.  I came out of the water and wiped my feet with my hands.  I finally put my shoes on.  I rolled my jeans down and walked toward the boardwalk.  Along the boardwalk are a number of large trees and I slowly passed them touching their bark while thanking them for the shade.  

I stopped on the grass and stayed for a few minutes longer. I felt an urge to dance, to freely jump, turn and glide on the ground.  My time was not up I could still enjoy nature.  Every squirrel seemed to stop and look.  The birds seemed to notice as I continued to dance.  I needed to have a drink and I finished my bottle of water.  It WAS time for me to go.  Afterwards, I jumped on the bus. My visit with nature was over until next time.

Silent Communication

The sound of the drums drew the two-year-old to our circle.  We were all participating in the rhythms one way or another.  A friend was watching him as she is always on high alert when it comes to children.  She pointed out that he might be lost.  When I glanced over he was with some people and I didn’t feel anything was wrong. I assumed he was with his family.  Yet, she knew he was alone.  She asked me to pay attention too.  I really didn’t get any vibes from the child that he was scared or lost so I didn’t stress about it.

After a few minutes, my friend jumped and grabbed my arm, “he is lost,” she said panicking.  She pointed out that he has now wandered over to another group of people.  This time a woman picked him up.  Once I saw that my friend was clearly right, we marched over to take the child.  I told the woman I would find his mother.

My friend was still very upset as if she lost her own child. She has such a beautiful heart but she was not listening to her inner spirit that was telling her not to be scared. The young boy knew that he was safe.  The sound of a drumming circle is like Mother Earth’s heart beat and that is always a calming experience.

I took the young boy in my arms.  The toddler was wearing a warm coat and had chocolate cake on his face. I asked his name and waited for a response but he remained quiet and calm.  I held him close to my heart and listened for the silent communication of his heart.  He looked me in the eyes and then pointed in a direction away from our drumming circle.  For some reason, I didn’t think to call the police and I sensed that his family was close.

We walked toward the area that he pointed out.  However, I stopped because my friend was getting more and more stressed about the distance we traveled.  During that time the child still hasn’t said a word.  He just stared into my eyes.  I wanted to know his name and I thought that he may have his name in his clothes.  When I put him down to check I felt it was not the right thing to do. 

I lifted him again and continued to walk.  We came across an outdoor concession stand.  I asked if anyone was missing a child.  The woman behind the counter began to overreact, “Call the police.  Stop walking around with the child. How can a mother lose her child?”

The young boy seemed extremely uncomfortable when she spoke.  I held his hand as he was still in arms and told him that he was safe.  I turned down the woman’s logical suggestion and kept walking.  The boy relaxed as we moved away.

We passed a number of people with children and there was no one looking for a lost boy.  We kept walking.  A woman approached me very calmly and said he was with her.  The boy didn’t react when he saw her but he didn’t seem uncomfortable that she took him.  I didn’t want to leave him with her.  I wanted to see his parents. 

The woman called out to a group of people and this hysterical woman holding a screaming 1 year-old baby ran over to us.  That’s his mom for sure.  She put her other child down and hugged her missing son.  I could feel her heart beating and I wasn’t even close to her.  My friend told her that he walked toward the entrance of the park.  He must have been missing for over 30 minutes.  Her son didn’t want to be held.  He jumped out of her arms and went on playing with the other children that were with them. 

His mother thanked us and she was still very angry with herself over what happened.  I looked her in the eyes and said, “He is safe.  He has angels protecting him.  He will not remember this and he loves you very much.  He was only interested in the drumming circle.  Now he is with you.”

I picked up her other crying baby and handed him back to her.  Once I lifted her other son, he stopped crying.  She was unable to let it go.  My friend wanted to tell her about a time she lost her child but I stopped her.  I asked my friend to let her be with her family and told her we should go.

We walked back to the drumming circle and she was still very upset about what happened.  I asked her why she waited for me to take action.  Why didn’t she trust what she was getting through the silent communication around her?  She didn’t want to believe that it was happening.  She thought I would be able to help him.  But, she really did help him.  She noticed that he was in trouble.  She saw that something was wrong.  She only didn’t feel comfortable to do it by herself. 

We ended up staring into each other’s eyes for a few minutes and then she nodded.  We hugged and both knew that we helped reunite a small boy with his family.  We were both stars we just didn’t want to admit it.

Beating of the Drum

One morning, I woke to the sound of drumming.  It was deep within my spirit.  I had this amazing surge of energy.  I danced and moved freely and openly.  I took an African dancing class when I was a teenager and all the movements of that experience flowed through me.  Joy was bursting out of every cell.  The experience was like no other I can express.

After my beautiful experience of spiritual dancing and a racing heart I needed to become aware of my physical body and surroundings, even though dancing is completely a physical act.  I had arranged two separate meetings with two men I met through a group about love and community.  The meaning of LOVE in a sense of DIVINE LOVE, which to me is AGAPE or METTA.  I’ve already spent time with these guys in other settings before and they agreed to share their personal time with me.

The first meeting, with one of them, we arranged  an exchange of a services, a massage for an energy healing session.  The second meeting was a family dinner, he was bringing his wife and daughter and I was hoping to bring my 16-year old twins.  I was pumped because I felt a great connection with both of these men.   As the day went on, I was getting really stressed out.  I couldn’t figure out what to wear.  I had no clue why I was feeling that way.  I decided on a dress that I felt like a goddess in. Hey, why not?  Right!  It was made of cotton with earthly tones and colours. 

Before heading out for the day, I checked my emails to confirm if everything was on schedule.  I felt there might be a few changes but my messages didn’t indicate otherwise.  I left some money on the table for my twins to have pizza for dinner because they were not interested in share a night with people they did know.   They expressed their feeling as they went to school that morning.

The meetings were on the other side of the city and I travel by TTC.   I was excited and also nervous about my first meeting because I realized on the subway that I actually liked this guy.  After I realized that I had to play it “cool”.  I didn’t want to let him know that I was interested in anything more than an exchange of services because that would be wrong, right?! (Don’t answer that question.)  I’m not good at acting cool.  My natural state of being is playful and light, so trying to act “cool” I became stuffy and stiff.  I needed a massage for sure. 

Our greeting was as usual, we hugged and we had to decide who was being treated first.  I knew, he noticed I was acting strange but he didn’t ask why I was behaving oddly, compared to my regular oddness. WELL!  I was not going on the table first.  NO WAY.  We planned a two hour exchange so each of us had one hour on the table.  So, he was first on the table - with clothes on. 

I prepared for a regular healing session, meaning that I did only healing energy work.  I placed my healing cap on which is my innate nature.  Through the sessions, I called upon all healing energies to help me.  There were blockages around his heart and lower chakras.  At one point, I saw him as a little boy playing ball with his brother and the joy and love was overwhelming yet very peaceful.  When the session was done he stated that he felt more grounded. 

Well, it was my turn and I wanted to run away, because I was nervous and thought, ‘what am I doing?’  I had to take off my dress, oh man.  I knew that he would be completely professional because that’s what he does.  He asked all the questions that massage therapist do.  Yet, I felt some where more personal that others.  With his training he noticed that the alignment with my neck was off.  So that would be the focus of the session. 

It was time for me to get on the table.  A number of deep breaths helped and I relaxed.  He did a great job and there was only two embarrassing moments for me.  One where I let out of an audible, let me call it - a sigh.  The other was when I started to giggled.  Well the giggle caught his attention because I started to wiggle.  His questioned, “what’s going on?” I told him I was thinking of a cat getting their neck stroked and I started to chuckle.  “Okay,” he said, as if it was nothing and continuing working my neck.  (Side note, the first time I had a facial, I laughed because the woman was slapping my face, okay tapping it. ‘Why in the world was I paying someone to slap me.’ It still makes me laugh today.) The session was over.  I felt a major difference in my neck and back.  “Thanks, man” was my comment to him.  I didn’t want to stick around to talk much more because ...  well, because!  I made my way out of there quickly and again I was playing it “cool.”

I had over an hour until my next meeting.  I sat in a beautiful park and asked myself a few questions of why I really arranged that meeting and what was I truly feeling.  I couldn’t be honest with myself at the time.  I drifted my attention to the clouds and birds.  I let go of the self judgment and started to sing.

My next meeting, I was at easy.  I was going to meet this guy and his family.  He was bringing his 4-year old daughter.  I haven’t had the joy of spending time with a little girl in ages.  Most of my family and friends have boys.  There is a charm that little girls express at that age and I relate to their innocence.  As I arrived, my friend was sitting alone.  That was interesting and I started to worry, ‘what would we talk about.’ I really wanted to meet his wife and daughter because he would share his experiences with them at our group meeting.  We greeted each other in the same way as usual with a big hug.  His wife was feeling ill and he tried to contact me to cancel.  Since he couldn’t, he and his wife agreed that he should still meet with me.  How considerate of them.  I asked if he was certain and he was.  We decided to eat. 

Our conversation was amazing.  I felt like I was with an old friend from childhood or with a brother that I just didn’t meet yet.  We had many interesting topics to go over and because we both are intuitive we bounced ideas around about spirituality, divine love and community.  Our Indian food got cold, as we spoke for at least 3 hours. We gave each other encouragement on your individual journeys and praise for the hard work we just completed.   Even as we parted we hugged and gave each other a high five!

I was on a high, there were people in the world that sees life the same way I do.  I felt joyous and expansive.  I start to walk toward the subway.  ‘What’s that sound?’  It was drums.  OH, my God!  I was heading toward a sacred Aztec drumming circle. Was this for real?

My heart was calm and as I drew closer, the reality hit me. It was real!  I sat and watched for a few minutes.  There were men and women dancing in unison in a huge circle.  Each dancer had a red sash around their waist and danced in bare feet.  I so badly wanted to join, yet I knew I had to be invited to the sacred circle.  One of the male dancer notice a few people eager to participate and I was one of them.  I didn’t have an offering to share with the circle and another man gave me some tobacco.  I was receiving gifts from the universe in every way.

I shared my gifted offering to the circle and we danced.  The earth shifted under my feet.  I was out of sync with the group but they still encouraged me to continue.  I was so humbled by the experience and the knowledge that they shared with me that night.  I participated in blessing and showing gratitude to the four directions, heaven and earth.   After the dance, I was asked to hand out the offerings of food to each person that was involved in the circle.  I bowed to each person and shared a smile.  The experience was one I would never forget.

It was a long night for me in my goddess dress and I was tired from the vigorous dancing.  I returned home to my children that where enjoying pizza and video games.   I shared the story of the drumming circle and we laughed together.  That night, I returned home as a different person.  I knew that I will be dancing to the beat of my own drum.

Become Animated!

It was last winter, I had the urge to throw myself into a snow bank and flare my arms and legs.  I looked around to see if anyone was watching.  I’m a 36 years old woman, and I felt like I was stealing something that I wasn’t allowed to have.  It was ridiculous, “why couldn’t I make a snow angel?”  It’s not a crime!  Yet, I waited until people were not looking.  I jumped into the snow, wiggling and giggling then bolted out of there, so no one could see me.  Of course, I first marvelled at my creation!  It was such a rush, making a snow angel.  I couldn’t believe how easy it was.  No one would know.  Only the foot steps to my apartment could give me away but who was tracking my actions, really?

Since that time, I’ve come out of my comfort zone.  I step out of my house to sing and dance in a park, at the beach and even on the streets.  As I dance I sing from a place where I feel free.  I can feel music coming from deep within my spirit, a calling to move and allow energy to flow in and out of my body.  It’s electrifying.  I have moments of complete release where emotions come up and I fly as I wave my arms and spin.  I express myself with delicate movements.  It’s not a secret anymore, as I move to the sound of my heart. 

When I dance, I feel a sense of love from the earth and universe.  I sense a presence of pixies and fairies as they tickling my skin, the sky seems to be clearer and I’m floating.  Letting go and sharing a moment with nature, coming from a place of unbridled love.  

I feel a pull to go out and move.  It’s joy bursting out of my being.  It’s an open exchange of giving and taking from the world.  I’ve hidden my spirit for years, this seeking part of me that wants to experience life without the judgment from others, but mainly from myself.

Do I dance and sing for people to watch? No.  I do this because I am a being of light and love.  I emotionally, physically and mentally want to share my spirit with the world.  The earth will always replenish your spirit.  I realized that each of us can work with the elements of earth, air, fire and water. These beautiful elements, which we are actually made of, can clear our auras and heal us to our core. 

I use dance movements to connect with them.  I’ve always felt a loving pull by nature; I didn’t realize how it truly affected my being.  I couldn’t imagine that everything I need is just waiting for me to see it.  To say with confidence, “I deserve to receive from the abundant universe, all my needs.”  This is extremely empowering. 

That abundance comes in many forms, one is people.  When I share my joy and what inspires me to others, they open up.  They give a part of the spirit that at times, I believe they’ve hidden from themselves.  I get to witness how they come animated.  They stand up straighter, they speak with more confidence, and they actually laugh.  

How can I stop dancing in public when that is my true joy?  How can I worry about what others really think of me? 

I always want to be animated.