Roger Williams Park Temple of Music

“The earth has music for those who listen.” ~George Santayana

Dear Universe,

After what has felt like the longest winter in the history of my life, it is so rejuvenating to see the weather finally changing.

Feeling afternoon sunshine, seeing more people outside, smelling the fresh spring air and hearing birds chirping are all things I’ve been anxiously waiting for.

So when I heard that The Rhode Island Tree Council would be gathering people at Roger Williams Park this past Saturday in attempt to break a Guinness Book of World Records, I was intrigued.  And when I was invited to come along, I had to say yes.

The hope?  Get 1,202 people all simultaneously hugging trees for one whole minute to break South Korea’s 2014 record.

The event would also commemorate Earth and Arbor Day.

Here are a few things I learned from the experience (in no particular order):

A lot of people will come out for a fun, community event.  It wasn’t enough to break a record, but whatever the number was, it was still impressive.

We shouldn’t wait for an excuse or a world-record-breaking-attempt to get out and appreciate the nature around us.

Hugging a tree makes you feel like a little kid again.

Wearing high-heeled boots is not appropriate attire to trek through rolling hills in search of the perfect tree to hug.

There is such a thing as a good tree to hug.  Here’s the one I picked:

Being at an event where everyone was laughing and in the spirit of giving out love—even to a tree—was inspiring. It’s nice to know that adults can have moments where we put our serious side aside, and get a little silly—because when you are standing around hugging a tree with friends and strangers you do feel a little silly.

It was also nice to see so many families and children out there practicing their hugging skills long before show time.

One more thing I remembered?  Giving a hug for one whole minute can feel very healing.  It is one of the most powerful things we can give one another.

When was the last time you embraced someone for a minute or more, without letting go?  What are you waiting for? (Tweet that!)

“The clearest way into the Universe is through a forest wilderness.” ~John Muir

Thank you for the opportunity to remind myself that the energy we give out doesn’t just matter with other people. Our energy stretches out to the whole world around us—trees and all.

With Gratitude,

A