YEAR OF ZEN: AUTUMN: DAY 49

The Lonely Tree - Caspar David Friedrich

Q: Are there ways you need to “fly free from the tree” in your life?

A: I have always been a rooted person. I prioritize the things and places that keep me grounded and offer me the strength to grow and evolve in the small space of my individual life. This includes living in Salt Lake (my home), remaining close with life-long friends, and working at a job that I continue to love 20+ years in. This rootedness has led to grounded and stable moments where I have felt like I could “fly free” in some aspects of my existence. Becoming a parent is an obvious one. Broadening my experience and perspective with travel is another. I recently expressed to Sarah that a place I see this happening in the current context of life is in my new found joy in learning how to play the piano. In my opinion, life should be an ongoing balance between cultivating our roots and flying high from our branches.