Trees: A Metaphor for Balanced Relationships
By Bernard Chanliau, Thursday 20 July, 2006
Mars and Venus explored & explained! 8-10 July 2005
Trees – A Metaphor for Balanced Relationships
From the time when I was a child, I have always been drawn to trees. I used to play in their branches, follow their roots and hug them like a wise old grandfather. Indeed, I later found out that the Native Americans call the trees, the Wise Ones. In later days, I would understand why.
Whilst walking through a forest one day in the sunset of a fading relationship I raised my eyes to heaven in desperation, asking the universe for some answers. My awareness then drew me to two trees. These particular trees were neither close to one another or shared anything. Separate life was growing within each one, but they were truly apart.
A couple of years later in the dark night of another relationship, I asked the universe for some answers. All I got, yet again, were trees. What was going on here? This time the two trees were closer, but one was leaning on the other so heavily and entwined to the extent of sucking the energy, it was stunting the growth of the stronger taller one.
A shot of insight struck me and at last, I understood co-dependency. One of the big ‘Eureka’ moments of my life!
Healthy relationships are like two tall trees. Each tree is firmly planted in its own fertile ground, firmly grounded with its own roots reaching deep into the earth, able to feed and sustain itself whilst sharing ground with others. The trunks are tall and solid reaching straight and strong up to the heavens with the branches and leaves receiving the sunlight and abundance of light that the earth has to offer. The trees stand side by side, but they are not entwined so that they choke one another, they meet at their branches and leaves, lovingly encouraging and stroking one another in the wind.
Relationships challenge us all. Moving out of co-dependency towards emotional intelligence is a true learning adventure that will touch the rawest of your nerves.
In XenerGie’s Relationships workshop, we explore relationships of all kinds and thoughts on how to navigate the void between ‘Mars’ and ‘Venus’ with more ease. This workshop is a MUST for anyone who is feeling challenged by lovers, spouses, children, parents and other family members.
