The Beauty of a Broken Tree

Though the tree is partially 'broken', she is a treasure to the creatures in our Sanctuary Forest Garden.

God is truly in everything, everywhere. Even in a broken tree.

This tree (we yet to find out exactly what this tree is. Maybe you know?) is very popular with the birds. We see all sorts of birds on this tree. They love to sit on the dead branches and even sunbath... Wood pecker loves this tree too. Because of the dead branches and part of the broken dead bark. A lot of birds - mus, mees, kwikstaart, boomkruiper, roodborst... and more (names in Dutch) rest on this tree, we yet to find out the other type of species for some birds which we see.

What I learnt.

A tree maybe broken and not in her most beautiful shape or state, yet they still bear leaves, flowers, fruits... and a home, shelter, nesting, sunbathing, cleaning, resting, singing space, mating, play... for the creatures in the forest.

The love of God is so present in this broken tree.

For some, she may look ugly. For some, she may look like a tree of no use. For some, she has much to teach us about life, and even ourselves, who we are and how we see life and self.

I come to feel the presence of God, love, in this tree. How she has given the creatures a safe home especially for the birds. Even we maybe broken in some way or another - physically, emotionally, spiritually, psychologically - we are still beautiful.

Lies in us,
Within, a
A beautiful soul, a
A loving compassionate soul. 

Do we see it?
Do we embrace it?
Do we even know it?

* Elizabeth offers her Sanctuary Forest Garden as a retreat space as well as for souls who love Nature and want to witness the forest, birds, creatures, trees, plants... and be inspired, awed, motivated, through contemplating, witnessing, listening and discovering... more about life and self through their Sanctuary Forest Garden. She directs, accompanies, guides and provides you the space on the art of listening, witnessing, contemplating, letting the forest find you and you to be found in the forest.  She not only provides the space and accompaniment, but also in movement, dance and art too. If you're open to open your hearts and whole being to what the forest has to give you, she invites you to connect with her for the direction and possibility. She is also inspired to write a simple book on the wisdom she has learnt and discovery through her contemplation and witness of her forest so that others can also use it as a guide for his or her own contemplation in the Nature. If you like to be kept posted of her book, she invites you to stay in touch with her through her monthly newsletter. *