How to connect with people and the world around you

Do you find yourself people watching?

Do you wonder, what’s going on all the way over there?

Well that’s just a sign of your curiosity in to the nature of what it is to be human.

Do you ever stop, sit still, notice your environment and the sounds of nature around you?

Do you ever just sit and observe the ant who joins their family of ants, the flower, the rock, the tree?

That’s another sign of your curiosity but this time in to the nature of what it means to be here, sharing this life with these living organisms. What can I learn from them?

For me, trees are simply fascinating. They have a story to tell.

I feel like they’ve been here for so long - much longer than me. The story they tell are lessons for us.

I stand here and all I can do is observe. Observe the landscape before me. Observe the coming and going of birds and their nests. Observe the coming and going of humans in their homes.

When it storms I have no cover, I hold still and wait for the storm to pass. If the storm damages my branches, this becomes the way I am in the world - bruised and I must go on.

When there is a fire I have no cover, I hold still and wait for the fire to pass. If I’m charred, this becomes my new skin in the world. The world will now recognise me in this new skin, maybe not knowing what I looked like before.

As each day passes I’ve learnt to accept. Accept what is and what isn’t. When it’s windy, I dance, I savour the cool breeze while it lasts. When it’s sunny, I take my tan. Growing something new with each ray of sunlight. When it rains, I shower and drink in abundance. The gift of rain reaches my roots and I share this on and on with my neighbouring root systems.

You see we have much to learn not just from nature but from the people in and around us.

If you wonder how he or she is feeling wonder no more: hello how are you?

How can you acknowledge the someone before you whether they are with you or serving you in one way or another?

Be present. Just like a moment you are one with nature, be one with people.

How can you express the sentiment thank you for who you are in your way of being?

Say it with me: thank you for who you are. You’ll find the words for the setting you are in. As the words pass through you - send them a metta intention - may you be happy, may you be free from suffering. Give them you me best energy and smile, your loving kindness.

Smiling at strangers turns them from strangers to neighbours of the world.

Just like the trees, we’re all in this together. Who knows the small difference you made in smiling and making someone’s day?

Just like the trees, everyone has a story to tell. Under our bark, is our vulnerability, and we will discover we are much more connected than we ever realised before.

Open your mouth and connect with another human being by just asking open questions. Be with them and acknowledge them for who they are exactly as they are.

Practice with a tree. Then practice with a human.

You’ll soon see. I am you. You are me.

Please share what opening up for you, what thoughts are now arising?