Redwood Retreat Recap Part I: 5 Things We Can Learn From Redwood Trees
Last October when I started planning my very first retreat up in the Redwoods in Northern California, I eagerly started learning everything I could about Redwood trees. From my own research on the Internet to every documentary on them I could find, I learned so much and I’m so glad I did.
As I did my research, I found that what I teach is very aligned with how Redwood trees have not only survived this long, but also how they continue to thrive and stand strong for as long as they do.
Consequently, I decided to theme our retreat “Surviving & Thriving” and found five common things we can learn from these magnificent trees:
Lesson #1: Protection
The bark of a Redwood tree can be up to 1-foot thick in order to protect itself from insects, fire, fungus, and disease.
From our relationships to our work environment and beyond, it’s important to examine our lives and see where we need to protect our minds and hearts – perhaps creating healthy boundaries around any negative people or energy.
Lesson #2: Support
Despite being over 350-feet tall and over 500 tons, Redwood trees have surprisingly shallow roots that only go down 6-12 feet, yet they rarely fall over! Their strength comes from supporting one another as each tree intertwines its roots with one another like interlocking arms with surrounding trees for strength and support.
It’s hard to survive and thrive on your own. That’s why it’s so important to belong to a community of like-minded and like-hearted women who support and uplift one another. Be sure you have close women you can trust and count on and who always have your best interest.
Lesson #3: Patience
Redwoods are the tallest living things on earth and can live up to 2000 years, yet they started as a seed no bigger than a tomato seed. It takes not only patience, but also endurance for that small seed to grow to become a magnificent Redwood.
It takes time to grow from a seed to a sprout to a small tree to a 2000-year-old Redwood. In turn, we must understand that it takes patience and endurance if we want to become our best selves in our lifetime.
Lesson #4: Resilience
From cold and rainy winters to hot and dry summers and everything in between, Redwoods have to survive extreme weather conditions.
We never know what unexpected challenges life will throw us. In order to survive and thrive, we must learn to be resilient and be able to bounce back from adversity through all the seasons of life.
Lesson #5: Fire
Last, but not least, in order to continue to grow and evolve, Redwoods need fire. Fire opens up their cones that are usually “glued” shut by resin. When their cones are opened, they are able to drop their seeds and bring about new growth.
Fire symbolizes challenge and getting outside of our comfort zone. It is only when we are uncomfortable and challenge ourselves that we change, grow, and bring about rebirth and renewal into our lives.
Even if you weren’t able to spend last weekend with us up in the Redwoods, I hope that you are inspired by what these trees can teach us about our own journey.
Next week, I’ll be sharing more about the retreat and a few exercises I led the ladies through. I hope you find them helpful.
In the meantime, I hope you consider joining me for the next retreat. If you’re interested in learning more and getting updates as they develop, click here to join the waiting list and I’ll make sure to keep you informed.
My challenge to you is to choose just ONE of the lessons the Redwoods teach us that resonated with you today and take the next step to strengthen that area.
P.S. Interested in my next retreat? Let me know and I’ll send be sure to send you the latest updates and information. Click here to let me know you’re interested >> https://www.transformationwellnessforwomen.com/spring-retreat/
