are you in your forest?

It took me the longest time to really understand that expression "you can't see the forest for the trees".

But I got it at some point…

some point in life when I’m sure I was in the forest, running in circles around some trees, getting lost on my path before stumbling out dazed and confused.

I see now that I was so focused on the minutiae that I couldn't see the big picture, and it was blocking my growth or success in some way. This has played out time and time again in my life. Projects, solos, excerpts and etudes, cleaning....this blog post....I could go on.

It happens when I can't see beyond the detail for the greater good.

Sometimes, though, this focus-on-the-minutiae can be a good thing, I think. Because we're trying to live in the moment and not worry too much about days, weeks, years from now.

Does this mean living in the moment is actually enjoying the trees?

Maybe.

Of course, NOT paying attention to detail (the trees) can be a huge detriment. It’s like taking a nice long hike and you’re so enraptured by the beauty of the distant mountains or landscape that you trip and stumble where you are because you haven’t bothered to look down and see the big root reaching up into the path like a clawed hand ready to take you down. It is almost like that big root sees you coming a mile away and can’t believe its good fortune.

Contrarily, if you keep your eyes on the ground for the entire hike, you have missed out on the grandeur of the view, the destination, the reward…the whole point.

I have taken hikes that were difficult and rocky, and buried in the trees most of the way, where I questioned if the end result (hopefully a view) was even worth the breathless effort. Haven’t all of us had disappointing endeavors like this?

If you do get to the pinnacle and you are witnessing a sliver of perfection, time stops, and all adversity is forgotten. All the slips and stumbles are worth it and who even remembers those trees?

You smile, take it all in, breathe deeply and it is as if you have touched heaven itself.

Occasionally you can afford to ignore almost every step – think of those trails in valleys or through tall grass and flowers – they’re just nice and easy. The sun always seems to be out, the floral aromas overwhelm and you’re just happy to be alive. I believe I have had those metaphoric walks in my life from time to time.

It is so important to gain that ever-elusive balance of seeing the trees, enjoying the trees (and if you’re my husband, identifying and naming the trees, which is an entirely different post), watching every step, making sure you are careful, but keeping an eye on the forest and your wider surroundings so that you don’t miss anything.

If you are too focused on the singular path, you may miss an interesting side-path as well. What if that side path you didn’t even notice carries you to some unforeseen-unbeknownst-to-you hidden waterfall? What if that waterfall is the thing that takes your breath away in life and causes you to grow on the inside it’s so beautiful?

As in, you can’t imagine your life before that waterfall?

This has happened to me many times too – I took a chance on some side path in life, took that risk, and discovered some new fantastic life-view.

Self-awareness while on the path then becomes the most important thing.

There are books and songs and websites that tell us to love our path, to honor our path, and to find our path. There is so much wisdom and truth to these sentiments.

Even within these ideas we must discover our path...which by the inherent nature of doing, is our path. This is process.

What's the answer?

Balance, Perspective, and Awareness.

Go out and find your life-views, look out for those roots, and enjoy the fields when you get them. You have to decided where to look and how much time to spend there. You can pause and even stay a bit...but not too long or the sun will set on your path, trail, idea, audition...don't become immobile.

Don’t be afraid to try some side-paths along the way. Take some risks, the views might be worth it. Maybe you’ll find a waterfall. Hopefully you will see the forest and the trees and a killer view at the pinnacle.