Oh, Grizzly!

This photo doesn't even capture the majesty of this tree. It's called the Grizzly Giant and stands way above the giant sequoias at the Yosemite National Park. Its branches are as thick, if not thicker, than some of the trees in the grove. It was awesome. The road to the grove was closed so it was a long hike up, but it was worth it, just to be able to sit before this tree.

I looked at it and could feel my heart opening, tears of recognition and connection springing forth. I have been trying to live in harmony with the earth for many years, but this tree made everything real to me again. I compost, segregate, grow and eat organic, recycle, you name it, I do it, for the same reasons everyone else does it--to save the earth. That statement and others like it, have become quite abstract through the years.

As I sat before this tree, it all came home to me in a practical and profound way--to feel that connection again between myself and nature, so powerful as to break open a heart that I so wrongly thought was already open, to recognize the essence of who we are. That is what it's about.

It took the Grizzly Giant's ethereal embrace to make it all personal again--to make it universal again.

My heart remains full.