How To Be More Tree - by Liz Marvin; Illustrated by Annie Davidson
The Well Canto Newsletter: Why You Want to Read This
May 10, 2024 Volume 14
Clarkson Potter/Publishers New York
Continuing with this month’s Nature theme, let’s look at this delightful book filled with the wisdom of trees, and how their lessons apply to our human lives. The gift-worthy How To Be More Tree is charmingly illustrated in the scientifically accurate and artistically pleasing style of botanical illustrations which originated before photography. The index at the end of the 125 pages is thumbnails of the sketches. Find your favorite tree and look up the accompanying lesson.
Each set of pages is dedicated to one type of tree: one page for the illustration as above, and the other for a personification of the tree’s qualities intended to inspire us. For instance, the Ash tree encourages the reader to Celebrate Your Strengths, and resist comparing yourself to others. The Ash leafs-out more slowly than the Beech or Oak, but its airy canopy allows sunlight to reach the ground below, enabling other plant life to thrive beneath.
Why should Singers/Creatives read this?
Many of the life lessons contained here will sound quite familiar. By learning how various trees have evolved without the option of running away, we see there are other ways to adapt to our environment. Imagining a tree as a wise elder sharing long-lived experience is a delightfully creative way to gain a fresh perspective.Â
Here are a few sample lessons from How To Be More Tree:
Follow Your Own Path (Banyan)Â Â
Get Plenty of Rest (Silver Fir)
When Times Are Tough, Take A Break (Dahurian Larch)
Focus On The Positive (Guarea)
It’s Okay To Be Different (Dragon Blood)
Embrace Change - Even When It’s Scary (Banksia)
Enjoy The Ride (Cork Oak)Â
Be A Good Friend (African Acacia)
Calming and meditative to read, we may begin to look at trees differently, and start to feel a more vibrant connection to nature. Absorbing these life lessons from our ancient and constant companions is one more way to enhance our well-being.Â
It’s graduation season! How To Be More Tree makes a wonderful gift for your favorite graduate. Don’t forget to get a copy for yourself.Â
Contact Barbara for Voice Lessons through: www.WAVS.info
Contact Barbara for Wellness Coaching through: www.BarbaraShirvisWellness.com
May you live with ease, kindness, and a free heart.