FIONA NEARY is passionate about creating introspective spaces to share with others through painting, photography, music, and conversation. She and her mother DEBORAH NEARY have created a fun exercise for us. It is both creative and enlightening.
Trees are foundational in Nature. They grow from the smallest seed, but have the potential to create an entire forest. Trees are structured to withstand the strongest storms and the most severe weather. Their roots keep them steady in the ground, they grow trunks that carry water to the treetops. Then in spring and summer, flowers and leaves color their branches, give protection to the birds and nourishment to our atmosphere. We, as humans also have relationships and habits in our lives that give us strong foundations to flourish and grow as people. As a metaphor, we can compare ourselves to the parts of a tree.
We, as
humans also have relationships and habits in our lives
that give us
strong foundations to flourish and grow as people.
As a metaphor, we can compare ourselves to the parts
of a tree.
In this exercise, you draw a tree that represents YOU! There are so many trees in the world. Do you have a favorite? Are there any you can see outside your window or in a local park? Maybe a tree that exists far away… like the Baobab in Africa, a tropical palm, or an alpine spruce.
Don’t worry about drawing it correctly, express from the heart. And then think about some things in your life that have positively shaped you… who, or what may be in your roots, your trunk, branches, and leaves.
The roots represent your history – the family you come from, your heritage, strong influences which shaped your beliefs.
The trunk represents your life today – what is your career? Your “chosen” family, the organizations and communities in which you belong.
The branches represent places in your life that are stable and supportive – where you can jump and always know you will land safely, no matter how hard you fall.
We hoped
to show the various ways the “tree of life” can be drawn,
and the ways
each of our lives are all unique.
The leaves represent your passions, hobbies, and other influences – friends, books, music, sports, ways you spend your free time.
The fruits represent the result of action – has acting on your creativity and talents resulted in something wonderful? Have you created something new for the world to see? Have you started a new group or program?
Other parts of the tree – for example, buds could represent new hopes and dreams for the future, thorns could be difficulties in life or protection from harm.
My mother and I created these drawings as we were traveling and it was a breath of fresh air to create amidst the travel stress. We hoped to show the various ways the “tree of life” can be drawn, and the ways each of our lives are all unique. Yours will probably be completely different!
Draw for 20 to 30 minutes, or continue for however long you wish. Feel free to share this exercise with family and friends, present them with your experience and what you’ve learned during the process! How did this feel to you?
Illustrations by FIONA AND DEBORAH NEARY
Fiona Neary
