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.

Full Moon Blessings

Sometimes you just need to follow your heart!

 

Full Moon Blessings to you!

 

 

Spontaneous Singing

We are not always glamorous and we sometimes need to wear our sweats and sing.   I love to sing and I wanted to hear it for myself. It was taped on October 8, 2010.

When you make up songs it lifts your spirit.  It releases tension and also brightens your being.  If you’re already in a good mood, music burst out with a one-two punch.  AWESOME!!!

Why not play with sound?

Honouring Myself

I was in a snowsuit at Queen’s Park playing in the snow.  I had a few difficult weeks struggling with an unhealthy relationship which I kept because I felt I needed it.  I felt that I could not find someone else that was interested in creating inspirational music and understood my energy work.  I love to sing and at times, I would shake like a leaf on stage.  My friend was supportive and also felt uneasy performing.  We had similar characteristics and required mutual support.  Why would I end this relationship? Well, we also had different views on life and definitions of words such as trust, honesty and respect.  I didn’t realized how strongly I felt about my personal values until this person stomped on them.  I knew that we didn’t agree on many life choices but I didn’t judge.  I buried my head in the sand because I didn’t want to lose the relationship.  My intuition told me to speak up and express my views and set boundaries.  I ignored the warning signs and a situation evolved over time that I could no longer deny was happening. 

I became angry because my friend didn’t take the subtle hints I was giving to back off.  My anger exploded in my face and even then I didn’t want to share what was going on.  I finally expressed that I was completely uncomfortable with the events that lead up to what happened. This friend apologized then stated I was complete wrong for feeling the way I did and that this friend will not stop behaving in that manner just because I was uncomfortable.  After hearing that, I asked for personal space and time to figure out what I truly wanted from the relationship. I explained that the bonds of trust were completely broken. 

I was then bombarded with emails asking me to spend time with this friend.  This friend felt it was necessary to compliment me and attack me in the same email.  I felt that this person was being overly persistent and aggressive not honouring or respecting my requests or taking them seriously.    

Throughout the experience I was fighting with my own values and my playful side was stuffed into a corner.  I felt I had to compromise but every additional line of communication from the person was full of hurtful and underlying attacks.  The main reason it happened was because we wanted different things from the relationship.  We expected things that we didn’t express in the beginning.  This experience helped me re-evaluate and define my values in a concrete form.  I realized with the help of a coach and other friends that I can compromise on some things but I don’t have to compromise on my values just to keep the peace.  By honouring myself I am respecting and valuing who I am.  Once I came to that conclusion I made the decision to end the relationship.  I wanted to enjoy my life again.

I had a clean slate to recreate my life and the snow symbolized that for me.  I had to return an item to this person.  It was difficult for me to see this person because I was not pleased with all the correspondence I was receiving and I didn’t want to involve others in this situation.  I arrived with the item in hand and had a weak smile.  As I handed it over I was asked where my dog sled team was.  I completely forgot I was wearing a snowsuit. I thanked the person for the use of the item.  I was then told that this person was purchasing a similar item, was promoted and had some advice for me.  I congratulated this person and said thanks again. I took a deep breath, walked away and went to Queen’s Park.  Over those past three weeks all I did was stress about this situation and I ignored my life.

At Queen’s Park the snow was fluffy and I sat down on the ground.  I had a sinking feeling that I made the wrong decision about the relationship, I should ask for forgiveness.  I sat there in the snow feeling the cool air on my face and was determined to drop it so that I could make a snowman.   I pushed the snow into a pile and a man shouted out from a cleared path, “You’re making the first snowman in Queen’s Park!  Is it packing snow?”  “No, but I’ll do my best.”  He walked away. The snow didn’t want to co-operate. I became frustrated with myself and wanted to leave.  I stopped and stared at the snow in front of me, I heard a hawk squawk over my head.  It was holding a small bird in its claws and landed in a tree beside me.  A second hawk followed.  I started to laugh because hawks seem to follow me when I’m in nature.  I relaxed and decided I will play in the snow.  I needed to be less serious.  I decided to sing a tune.  Then these words came to me.

                Come little chipmunk,

                come and play with me

                as I play amongst the evergreens.

                Come little chipmunk,

                come and play with me

                as I sing and play joyously.

                Come little chipmunk,

                come and play with me

                and we will have a feast.

The lyrics kept changing.  At one point I came across a piece of poop - frozen poop.  I threw it away quickly and continued singing.   Yes, it was gross but I was on a roll.  I created some type of snow sculpture.  Wow... I created a swan out of snow.  I didn’t know I could do that.  How did it happen?  I kept singing and relaxed.  After a few minutes I thought I received a called but I didn’t want to look at my phone.  I continued to play.  What else can I make?

I created a new pile and a sea turtle formed. I look up in the tree and there was only one hawk enjoying its meal. I noticed people watching me, some stopped and stared, while others continued on.  I stood up and looked at my artwork.  I giggled like a little girl and I threw myself in the snow to make a snow angel.  I felt amazing.  I rose and drank some cold water from my purple metal bottle.

I had no idea what time it was, finally looking at my cell phone.  I had a text message.  It was from the friend I just ended the relationship.  The text message was send within minutes after I left.  I was told that I did something wrong in a past life to this person and that I was forgiven.  If I wanted to talk about it I could call.  It was comical because I knew it was yet another way of getting my attention.  I made the correct decision to move on.  I put my phone away and made another snow animal.  I pushed the snow together and I created an alligator.  Wow... how awesome is that?  I’ve created three different snow animals.

I stood up, fixed the alligator and a woman walked over to me.  She asked if I made the sculptures.  She correctly identified each of them and asked if she could take a few pictures.  She told me that seeing them changed her mood.  She asked me if I made snow sculptures all the time. I told her no, I only wanted to have an experience of being in the snow.  I told her I was being extremely hard on myself and become overwhelmed with a situation.  I realized that I needed to stop all the judgments, be kinder and gentler to myself. 

That day, I reconnected to my inner spirit as I played in the snow.  I was able to let go and express myself in a simple way.  An hour after dropping off the item to the person, I looked up and the hawk was gone.  I took that as a sign to get up and go.  I felt free as I trusted and honoured myself in the moment.

Who Inspires You?

Many people inspire me and it just happens that I have a story to share.  This one is about a colleague who inspired me to write ‘Music as Sandpaper’, in my first chapbook entitled, Turning Pink, Published by A Beret Days Book - The Ontario Poetry Society, ISBN: 978-1-897497-61-6.

This was during a time, when I was a client service and portfolio administrator in a financial services company.  I just separated from a long term relationship and my self-esteem was extremely low, almost non-existent. It was difficult for me to go into the office because of my emotional and mental state. Anything that someone said either hurt or uplifted me.  I was sensitive with a capital S.

I changed my mood by singing or humming in the office.  Many people knew I was coming by their desks because of this.  Unfortunately, there was an office mentality of "us verse them", which I personally disliked. You’ve guess it; my area was known as the “dark side”. Yet, I knew, we all worked for the same company and we really needed each other there for it to run smoothly.

The mailroom as on the other side of the office and that's where I would be told I was from the ‘dark side.’  One colleague that I knew for years and respected as a person, started to use these phrases ‘how’s the dark side?’ or ‘why are you over here, shouldn’t you be back where you belong on the dark side?’  He was only joking, but I was extremely depressed about life. 

One day, he said something about me being part of the ‘dark side’ and I was not in the mood to listen. I looked at him and stated, “it really hurts my feelings when you say, I’m from the dark side.”  I probably started to cry.

“Wow, you really are sensitive,” he seemed to be shocked.

No kidding, I was sensitive. I just didn’t need to hear people telling me that I’m from the ‘dark side’ anymore.  I knew it wasn’t true and I had to say something.  How would he know if I was hurting unless I told him?  When I finally spoke up it changed my relationship with him instantly.

He apologized and asked how he could make amends.  I responded by asking for chocolates or flowers.  He nodded and walked away.  Of course, I was still upset about it for a few days later because I was depressed and didn’t know how to let anything go.

One afternoon, I received an email, he told me to stop by his office because he had my chocolates.  What? He really did buy me chocolates.  I refused because I didn’t trust him.  That’s when he told me to relax because he really did buy them.

I ventured over from the imaginary barrier known as the crossing of darkness into light, where I expected to be tricked. I was pleasantly surprised because he did purchase a tasty selection of chocolates.  I was truly grateful that he went out of his way for me. We started to talk again as we did before, many years ago.

Over the next few months, we started to build a new friendship.  It was difficult for me because I was still unhappy with my life.  Since I would sing in the office it seemed that music was the safest topic. We exchanged private email addresses and discussed music, our favourite stations and bands. I began to value our time together.  During one of our many conversations, he explained his idea of music.  He revealed a bit of himself and said, “music is like sandpaper.”

After that statement a surge of creativity pumped through my brain. There was a flow of music and words on how it was like sandpaper.  I think I started the poem in his office.  I was bursting with excitement.  I took off and started to write.  I wrote a few versions of it on paper and then emailed it to him.  I had a tune in my head and I couldn’t do my work afterwards.  That night, I worked on it.  I created the poem and a separate song.  I didn’t know how to play an instrument well enough, so recorded only the voice part.  I emailed that to him too.

The next morning he gave me praise and appreciated my writing and singing.  Of course I wanted to share it; he inspired me just by being himself and partaking in a conversation.  I was truly grateful for his friendship.  He claimed he didn’t know that I could ‘really’ sing.  I swear he heard me in the office many times.  I made an agreement with him that I’ll buy him a coffee if I generate any money from it.  That’s all the acknowledgment that I’ll give him.  Well, I still owe him a coffee, but that can wait. 

So, who inspires you?  Think about that for a while.  We really don’t realize how we affect others.  To think, just a simple turn of phrase can cause a burst in a mind of an unknown artist and guess what? We are all artists.

The Light of a Candle Changed My Perspective on Life!

I do most of my brainstorming in my bedroom.  Yes, I have an office in my apartment but there’s nothing like lying on my bed and reading a book, writing poetry or singing in front of my mirror.   “O Sole Mio.”  Spending time in my room is very comforting and relaxing for me.

One evening I was stressed out about a few things that I was experiencing, so I tried to do connect to my emotions and ground myself.  I couldn’t relax.  I lit a candle and turned off the bright over head lighting but I couldn’t really read what I was writing.  I didn’t have my laptop yet.  I ended up turning on my lamp by my bed.  I didn’t want to blow out the candle because it gave me a romantic feeling.  Yes... I enjoy candle light by myself.  Why not?  I moved the candle to my dresser by the mirror.

I was writing poetry, stretching and playing with my toes.  (Rubbing your feet is very therapeutic and it feels - GREAT!) I couldn’t settle my mind during my favourite past time.  I felt energy coming and going through my body.  I started to notice how these thoughts about love and light came into my mind.  I wanted to get up and move but at the same time I wanted to close my eyes. 

I didn’t know I was completely distracted.  Something told me to look at my candle.  It was very bizarre.  I turned to look and there was nothing special about it.  I stared at it for a while, still nothing.  The flame was quite beautiful but really what is so special about this candle.  I went back to my toes.

Take a look at the candle!  My mind was pretty much demanding it by now.

I was sitting on my bed looking at the candle. Okay... I see the candle.  Now what?  I had a really nice candlestick holder.  I got it as a gift.  I don’t light candles very often and I really should do this more.  But, what am I missing?  I looked at the candle through my mirror.  That’s interesting how the shape seemed to change.  It was still the candle and holder but it seemed to be farther away.  Interesting...

I was still missing something.  Look at the shadow of the candle!  Past the candlestick against the wall was the shadow of the candle.  The light from my lamp help to cast a shadow.  Duh...  of course it does that.  So, I studied the shadow.  There was a shadow of the candlestick holder, a shadow of the wax and a shadow of the wick.  There was no shadow of the light.  What, the flame had no shadow casted on the wall. 

There was no shadow casted from the light from the candle.  I just stared at its image.  What does that mean?  Why do I have to notice this? 

When you add light to existing light it creates more - light.  Light itself has no shadow.  The shadow does not exist. You are light so share your light.  By sharing your light will attract more light.  Let out the inner light for others to see and shine so that it brings more peace. 

Holy moly!

I jumped from my bed and called my teenagers into my room, “LOOK!!! Guys, look!!” 

“Yah mom, that is a scientific fact.... blah, blah.” 

They didn’t really say 'blah, blah.'  I was too excited to listen because that night the light of a candle changed my perspective on life.

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.