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Happy Birthday to the trees! Yes, you heard that right, although no cake is necessary for this celebration.
Tu B’Shevat is the Jewish holiday that celebrates a new year for trees. This is because it was forbidden to eat the fruit of a new tree—you had to wait a few years, and so Tu B’Shevat was a way to keep track of the trees that could be harvested. But it has taken on a newer meaning of simply celebrating these life-giving, ecological marvels and respecting and caring for the Earth.
And on this year’s Tu B’Shevat, we can all take another lesson from the trees—network. Trees communicate through their roots, through fungi, through scent. If a tree is being harmed by a bug or disease, it can send out signals to other trees, letting them know there is a threat. We as people can do the same!
Tap into your network.
· Look at your roots and who they are intertwined with. Who will be there for you if you send out a distress signal? Who will be there for you always?
· Embrace the people who ground you and who you can lean on for support. If it’s important for trees, it’s important for you, too! It can be hard to ask for help when we need it.
But if we can learn anything from the trees, let it be that connection is essential to survival. Whether in times of crisis or just a regular Tuesday, connecting with your people is always beneficial. And we at Seven Circles are very grateful to be a part of your network.
Author: Maris Rosenfeld, Community Outreach and Engagement Coordinator. Her favorite tree is a locust.
