In the February 2013 issue of O Magazine, Louisa Kamps tells the story of how an oak tree helps her find strength.  We all need a tree like hers.


The Giving Tree
When the weather turns cold, Madison, Wisconsin, can become eerily desolate. On one of those frigid, lonely days of wandering the Wempty streets, I headed for a nature preserve, not far from my snug little house, that I'd never bothered to visit before. I'm still glad for that change of course. Because there, in a clearing, I discovered a giant white oak tree so dazzling, so crazily beautiful, I actually chortled with delight at the sight of it.

At least 200 years old, the oak has branches that span more than 50 feet, outstretched like arms—and eye- and ear-like knobs high on the trunk—that give it an unmistakably human vibe. That first time I saw the oak, I crept through the thick underbrush, wrapped my arms around its trunk, and, in gratitude for the way it made me laugh, rested my cheek on its scratchy warm bark.

The tree reminded me, in its wind-swept solidity, that I have plenty of resilience in me, too. Now I visit the oak on days I'm feeling wigged out—like when a friend died and my tears liquefied the moss buried in the bark, or when I've picked a fight with my husband over, alas, the right way to clean the stovetop (when what's really bothering me is a churning, anxious desire to connect with him). After a visit to the tree, I can go back and ask my husband for what I truly need. The oak's majestic strength quietly reminds me to press on.

Spread Sunshine

In the July 2013 issue of O Magazine, Martha Beck tells us what we can do be that person that brings sunshine into people's lives.  I particularly love tip #2:


Pretend people love you.

One of the statements that changed my life comes from spiritual teacher Byron Katie: "When I walk into a room, I know that everyone in it loves me.  I just don't expect them to realize it yet."  I'm by no means certain that everyone in every room loves me, but I've found that pretending they do works nicely when I want to make someone's day.

I spent much of my life wandering about armored against criticism and rejection, unaware that my wary defense appeared to others as inexplicable offense.  And since everyone around me was also frightened, their defenses escalated the moment they encountered mine, which in turn ratcheted up to meet theirs, and so on.  This emotional arms race drives people apart in every home, office, subway car, dentist's office, rice field, and square-dancing school on Earth.  But pretending other people love you flips the vicious cycle into a virtuous one.  Imagine how you'd enter a public space--say, a grocery store-- if you knew without a doubt that everyone in it adored you.  How would you move?  How would you look at people?  What would you say?  Now imagine interacting with a loved one while feeling so sure of her infinite, unconditional acceptance that you had no need for reaffirmation.  How would you behave? You'd probably lay down some of your armor.  Then she would loosen hers.  Then you'd relax even more, and so on and on and on.  Try it right now-- you can do so without getting up!   Pretending someone loves you, right where you sit, will begin a day-making spiral of love. 

Too Beautiful To Be True

Wow!  What is there left to say?  No Photoshop needed here!

See more at: 15 Natural Wonders That Look Too Beautiful To Exist

Happy Belated, Father's Day!

These are very lucky children!