Think Outside the Box

Kids are always encouraged to use their imagination. So why is it, as an adult, I feel as though I get the side-eye when I hypothesize something imaginary? Like the possibility of having a conversation with a tree, a plant, or an animal? Books and movies have imaginary situations and characters – and we love that stuff! We eat it up, binging shows like Game of Thrones for hours on end, enthralled with the lives of dragons.
 
I think it’s a healthy and creative way to dream big and be inspired. Storytelling and art are imaginative. It’s where the magic happens. John Lennon said it best:
 
“You may say I'm a dreamer
But I'm not the only one
I hope someday you'll join us
And the world will live as one.”
 
My forest bathing and nature therapy walks are comprised of a series of invitations. As the word implies, it’s only an invitation, you don’t have to accept. Some invitations will be edgy, but you always have a choice. I encourage you to embrace what’s pleasurable and consider that growth usually occurs when we lean into our edges and get uncomfortable. Here’s an invitation to help flex your imagination muscle next time you’re outside in nature:
 
Imagine that like a tree you have deep roots, reaching down into the earth, creating a strong foundation. These roots are entangled with those of the trees and plants, creating a wood-wide-web of connection, spreading throughout the earth, connecting every continent and every ocean. Imagine that perhaps we can radiate threads of connection through these roots, sending goodness to any person or place, anywhere on earth. And if we can send goodness, we can also receive the goodness that Mother Earth is sending back to us.
 
What are you noticing?
 
What will you imagine – for yourself and for the world? Think about your place in the world. Whose shoulders do you stand on? What do you stand for? What serves you and the greater good? What doesn’t? Try something outside of your comfort zone. Lean against your edges. Nobody grows without risk or by playing it safe.

Tree hugs and kisses,
Kelly

About the Author
Kelly Bruce is a Certified Nature and Forest Therapy Guide/Trail Consultant and the founder of Natural Wanders. She leads forest bathing and nature therapy walks in the Blue Ridge and Smoky Mountains of Western North Carolina. Subscribe to her e-newsletter for more inspiration from nature and to learn about upcoming walks, workshops and retreats. Each Wednesday, she’ll provide inspiration to help you wander into wellness, naturally. In the meantime, follow along on Instagram and Facebook. This article originally appeared in The Swell Life, the official blog of Portfolio Vero Beach Magazine. Photography by @zailaffitte.