Back to nature

Inspiration Shot May 2023

As spring transforms my olive grove into a sea of flowers, I find myself undergoing a transformation as well. Returning to yourself after a long period of recovery can be quite challenging, especially when you have lost yourself in a disappointing relationship for years. Nevertheless, I am slowly regaining the color in my life. I even purchased a colorful protest sweater, plus I am learning a lot from nature.
It brings me joy to be here in Puglia where I am not only connected to the internet (World Wide Web) but also to the ‘Wood Wide Web’ 🌳 🌳 🌳. In this Inspiration Shot, I will share some insights and tips on how we are all connected; both to each other and to everything around us.

Valuable lessons from trees 🌳

It may come as a surprise, but trees are capable of communicating with each other and even warning their neighbors of potential danger. They work in harmony, and even ‘competitors’ support each other, recognizing that their success is tied to the health of the entire forest. In a way, this is similar to how our social security systems work to support members of society who may be struggling. Trees with an abundance of nutrients share their resources with those who are lacking, ensuring that the entire forest can thrive. In the book ‘The Hidden Life of Trees,’ you can find many more fascinating insights into the interconnected world of trees.

Lessons from my puppy friends

Shortly after experiencing an eye emergency, I found three dogs, abandoned in the countryside 😢. While I took care of them, each dog taught me a valuable lesson. The first one, a small hunting dog that was later adopted and is now called ‘Leo’, appeared to me in a dream. He told me that my feet are ‘anchor points’ connecting me to the earth and the present moment. Since then, I focus on my feet while walking, to help me stay grounded in the present moment and out of my head.
The puppies I found soon after taught me that I could open my heart to them, even though I knew they would be adopted at some point and would thus leave my life. Fortunately, they have been adopted by my Dutch neighbors just a few hundred meters away, and I get to see them often ❤️.

What lessons have you learned from the furry friends in your life? 🐾

Non-violent communication

In addition to reconnecting with nature, we can also learn to communicate in more meaningful ways. Recently, I posted on social media seeking a new caretaker for my father -who has Alzheimer’s- in Miami. This is an exchange that we have been doing for five years. However, to my surprise, this post was met with a barrage of hateful comments, which I had never experienced before. I had no choice but to delete the post and even block some people.
I wrote about this incident on LinkedIn (in Dutch), and this post has garnered almost 300,000 views, thousands of likes, and hundreds of comments 🤩
It is my hope that we can continue to communicate with one another in a respectful manner, even when our opinions differ.

Workshop alert