Welcome to One Forest World!
However you’ve found yourself here, I’m most glad that you did!
My intention for this space is to be a sacred one-at times deeply personal, reflective, contemplative, and one full of musings on human nature and humans in nature. A delicate web of being lies between us humans and the more than human world, a web I’ve become ever so aware of and deeply desire to know more about, ever since I completed my training with ANFT/the Association of Nature and Forest Therapy. Consider this a love letter of sorts to Nature and her gifts.
Back in the beginning of 2020, during the throes of the pandemic when we were isolated, practicing social distancing, and feeling desperate at times for anything including hope, I did a lot of reading, and I was forwarded an article on this thing called “forest bathing.” Say what? No clue what this was, but sure sounded interesting. That article led me to more articles and eventually I came to know ANFT. A huge THANK YOU to my beloved who sent me the initial link and said, “I think you’d be really good at this, check it out.” So I did.
As a result, I decided to enroll in ANFT’s first cohort specifically designed for healthcare professionals, The Yarrow Cohort (a shout out for 2 most excellent trainers, Caitlin and Ronna, you’re the best!). I was joined by fellow students from across the country, as well as from Canada and Puerto Rico. Over the next 6 months and beyond, I discovered elements of myself that were previously lost and I began to retrieve them...thanks to this beautiful, magical place we call home, planet Earth, and all of its sentient inhabitants. Finding myself in the “spaces in-between,” this illuminating space of liminality, literally opened the eyes of my soul, and I soon began taking spiritual flight. I won’t go on and on here about the many benefits of spending time in nature, or the Japanese practice of “shinrin-yoku,” but I highly encourage you to read the research on your own, it’s pretty freaking amazing.
During the final stage of my training, we were tasked with one last assignment, the completion of a Harvest Project, a creative work representative of what we learned, how we connected to nature, what we gained from our time together, in preparation to become a certified guide. I knew I wanted to merge mental health and nature in my project, and finally decided to do something I had always wanted to try-woodburning. (I LOVE the smell of wood, it takes me back to a primitive existence with pleasant memories of childhood, to a place I can no longer go to, but one forever etched in my heart). I thought about those issues and goals that clients bring to my practice, and intentions for growth, and I became introspective about my own growth in ANFT. I chose a tree design and painstakingly etched it and around the tree and its branches and leaves, I wrote Things You Can Grow-those things I truly do believe that we can grow.
Here is the attached essay I submitted to my trainers:
Healthy Relationships"- ANFT has given me a greater awareness of my varied relationships with friends, family, as well as professional ones. Realizing I'm far from perfect, I strive to communicate clearly and with purpose, express my feelings in a healthy manner, and honor others without sacrificing my own health, releasing when it is time, and holding loosely.
"Self Compassion"- I am learning how to give myself grace, realizing I am Human and the More Than Human World has helped me to give myself that much needed grace and love, without judgments.
"A Unique Voice"- ANFT has validated that I have a unique presence, my own individual way of Guiding via the Way of the Guide, that only I am able to offer. I will continue to find my unique style of Guiding others on walks.
"Courage"- Making the decision to enroll in this class to become a Guide was one of the scariest decisions I've made. As a deeply introverted person, I didn't know if I had the courage to take this on. For me, putting myself out there in this way and facing my fears in all aspects of Guiding is the ultimate Edge and I'm still finding my Headroom, but feel determined to do it.
"Resilience"- I consider Nature, the Trees, in a much deeper way, thinking of how long the Trees have been here in our world, and how nature seems to find a way to bounce back from adversities, giving me hope and strength to also bounce back from life's challenges and hurts, building my own personal reservoirs of resilience.
"Inner Peace"- No words can really describe the moments I feel inner peace, and being at my sit spot, my new feelings of deep affection for my beech trees in the woods behind my house are everything.
"A Meaningful Purpose"- What better purpose than becoming an ANFT Guide, I say! The importance of providing walks, and participating with others, and just being, demonstrates that one doesn't have to "do" necessarily to find their purpose in life. I believe we can have several purposes, not just one, and they don't always appear in any certain way. Meaning is everywhere, surrounding us, and we are a core part.
"Self Love"- Feeling and now knowing more deeply in my soul that I am a part of the family of the More Than Human World gives me such love that I can hardly stand it some days. I cry more easily now (I always have, but it's changing) and it happens sometimes because I feel so accepted by Nature, which makes it easier to love myself, flaws and all.
"Patience"- SLOW DOWN say the Trees, the bugs, the wind, the birds, the snakes..."What's your hurry? "Stay awhile"
"Body Positivity"- This is a very common theme I hear, especially from women in my work, and one I struggle with. I'm turning 55 in a few months, and the lines, wrinkles, weight gain, and all the fun stuff that comes with menopause has been big to face. ANFT has helped me by viewing age differently as I gaze at the Trees, thinking of how they age, gracefully, not caring about their lines and unique patterns and swirls, cracks and holes. I want to be like them.
"Wisdom"- ANFT has helped me deepen spiritually, and to view life and world and the universe really in a way that feels more calming and hopeful. I don't understand much of the world and rage at the horrors like others feel when atrocities occur, but I hang onto the peace that passeth all understanding, going another step further up the mountain.
My Harvest Project is in my office where it serves as a potent reminder of the vast opportunities for personal growth and how nature supports us in our endeavors.
For the next month, I encourage you to think about one of these opportunities or another area you’re now ready to step into, especially as we move further into the new year. And as you do, ask yourself these questions along the way-
“Are my thoughts supportive of this growth?”
“Are my actions helping me grow into more of who I am or who I wish to become?”
“Am I giving myself grace when I stumble, or am I heaping more critical judgment upon my soul?”
“Am I challenging myself, pushing myself just a bit more when I get too comfortable in my safety zone?”
Just some food for thought here
Thank you for sharing your time with me in this space, and I’d love to hear how your garden is growing! ❤️
Til next we meet in the forest…
Love,
Amanda
ANFT Immersion Experience, September 2022 at the Well Being Retreat Center, Tazewell, TN
