Tree-Hugging - 2020

How I started tree-hugging ...

On March 22, 2020 New York State was put on PAUSE when the cases of Covid-19 started to spike. I stopped seeing clients and conducting Reiki and Spiritual Development Circles in my office.  The libraries where I held monthly meditations closed.  My classes through Continuing Education were canceled.  The shop where I did monthly intuitive readings was closed too.  Life got turned way upside down.

Some days later reality set in that not only would I not be seeing people as I usually do, but I wouldn't be getting hugs from my friends either. How was I going to get through this unprecedented time?  Rather spontaneously, while out walking in the woods, I got the idea of giving a tree a hug and had my husband take a picture.  The next day, I hugged another tree - it felt good!  I posted the pictures on Facebook with the comment 'I'm happy I can still hug my tree friends'.  It was nice to get the positive responses and to hear that people appreciated the hugs!  

Now, almost 5 months later, my husband and I are still taking our walks.  I continue daily tree-hugs and posting my pictures and thoughts on Facebook. Life has thankfully become a tiny bit more normal.  I'm seeing hypnosis clients in the office (with masks) and holding afternoon backyard meditations (socially distanced) along with my library Zoom meditations.

My experience of tree-hugging has evolved  Our meanderings in the woods have become much more adventurous. lt is transformative meeting so many different trees.  I have come to realize how much I didn't know about trees.  Not just things like their species, which is interesting to know, but aspects of their beauty, strength and personality.  My daily connections with these giant plants has helped me not only feel closer to nature, but closer to the essential spirit of life.  Within me and the trees.

I decided to create this blog because many people I know are not on Facebook and I want them to know my hugs are for them too! 

I will be posting my daily Facebook pictures here.  Since I keep my Facebook posts on the short side,  I will be sharing more of my pictures and thoughts in the blog.  And in bits and pieces,  include my favorites from the past few months. 

If you'd like to check out the full series, you can friend me on Facebook at Susan Olin-Dabrowski.   ​
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The first pictures below are some of my very first tree-hugs back on March 30 and 31.  After that are pictures from August 17.  I hope you enjoy my journey! 

March 30.   I'm happy I can still hug my tree friends.  Take good care everyone.

March 31. Another day, another hug.

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Tree-eyes keeping watch in the woods.

8/17/20  I never know what I will see or feel or learn with my tree-hugs.  I suppose communing with nature  is a lot about being open to receive.

This tree called me with it's beautifully flowing limbs and fine bark.

But, as I became more present, it led me to a barely visible dragonfly.  This tree, it's final resting place.

Farther down the trunk, the bark looked so much like dried mud I had to check to see if it was.  A smiling cubist-looking bark-lady kept catching my eye.  

A couple more pictures from the tree-hug on August 17, 2020