Nature's Gifts

In dealing with day to day life, sometimes I can get overwhelmed by feelings of sadness, loss, anger, fear and frustration.  No matter how many times I rehearse the experiences that lead to those feelings, it doesn't take them away, and only with time, do they dissipate.  There are many different methods I use and teach others to aid in the relief of stress and anxiety, but there are resources at  our fingertips we can use everyday that we may not be aware of.

The earth does a marvelous job of recycling plants, animals and even garbage, and renews itself everyday.  Even though wild fires rip through forests each year, within a short time, life begins anew through the ashes, and the cycle of life continues.  I learned recently of a technique that uses rocks, the land, trees and water to help in my day to day processes of releasing old issues.

The Native American Indians teach us that the rocks take our anger energy, the ground takes our sadness and the trees take our fears.  These energies over time can be damaging to us, but to the rocks, trees, and ground, it is just energy, and it is recycled so perfectly.

This morning, as I walked in the cool brisk air, I sat down on a large rock and began verbalizing the anger I had felt over recent issues and gave my anger to the rock. I  named in detail what  I had been experiencing, and the tears that had been held back, were able to flow.  After I felt there wasn't any anger left in me I felt gratitude for the rock.

I walked along the path, and with each step I took, I verbally expressed my sadness and gave my sadness to the ground.  When I was finished, and there were nothing left to say,  I walked over to a large tree in my yard and placed my arms around it and gave my fears to the tree, naming each and every one.

Then I moved to the water going over the waterfall in our creek and let the water wash over my hand, letting it cleanse away any residue of anger, sadness and fear. I felt a sense of gratitude for the ability of being able to express myself, and release the pinned up emotions in such a natural setting.  As I heard each word leave my mouth, I was able to get the message from the experience. I noticed with the anger, sadness and fear I had released, that insecurity was at the crux of every issue.  This experience is much different than just telling a friend my story. As the words leave my mouth, when giving anger to the rock, sadness to the ground, and fear to the tree, I hear them, process them, and understand the situation from all sides, and get the message much clearer.

Some folks may find this technique a little out of their comfort zones, and may miss the opportunity of powerful healing that may take place.  Many Christians believe in baptism by immersion into water and coming forth out of the water being cleansed.  The water is part of the process, just as the rocks, ground and trees play a process in this emotionally healing technique.


In the future even if I am walking or riding on a trail with other people all around me, I have another profound tool for releasing my emotions using Nature's gifts and move on, down the path of life.

Be well my friend,
Char