Poetic Musings on a Tree Stump (What's Your Secret?)

While hiking in Breckenridge, Colorado with my family last week, I spotted this tree stump. I loved the way it looked so I asked my husband to snap a pic. It's long been a tradition in our family to spot and call out "Natural Art" like this when we're on hikes. "Natural Art" can be anything from a fallen log, to interesting markings on an Aspen tree, to a patch of wildflowers. You can see the example below from six or seven year ago – a fallen tree whose base made an enormous natural sculpture. (Can't believe how tiny my now teenage daughter looks!)

"Natural Art" on a family hike in Breckenridge, Colorado

Natural Art Rock Heart found on a hike today!

Looking through the many photos we've taken while up in the mountains this summer, I was drawn to the image of the tree stump up top. The tree had obviously been felled by a human (due to a Pine Beetle infestation up here, thousands of pine trees have died over the last several years and many cut down to prevent forest fires) but still counts as Natural Art in my book.

While searching for just the right words to add to the image, I came upon the super short, almost mystical poem by Robert Frost entitled, The Secret Sits. I read it over and over and pondered Frost's possible meanings. Then I did what it's so darn easy to do these days – I googled it.

I quickly found a half dozen plus sites sharing interpretations of The Secret Sits. You may not be surprised to hear that each of the authors offered a distinctly different take on the meaning of this concise little jewel of a poem.

Finding so many completely different takes on this piece (each author sounding completely confident that his or her conclusion was correct) helped me feel free to read the words once more and see what meaning shone through for me...especially in the context of pairing them with my tree stump photo.

So here's my two cents. The message I hear in "The Secret Sits" is that rather than looking to others for approval or their definition of success...happiness...creativity or whatever is important to us, when we stop to look inside and listen to our own wise inner voice...our heart...our intuition...our spirit...our center – that's when we tap into real truth.

Though I absolutely believe that lots of good can come from being a member of a group and great knowledge can be found outside of ourselves from books, teachers, friends, and family, as a Master Kaizen-Muse® Creativity Coach, I'm a big believer in asking ourselves small questions to tap into our own wise-inner voice. I think often believe we should know the answers before even giving ourselves to opportunity to ask questions.

So inspired by Mr. Frosts mysterious short poem (and a cool Natural Art tree stump,) I'd like to share a few questions that you might choose to ponder to access your own unique intuition.

"What's one thing I'm consistently doing for myself that brings me creative joy?"

"What's one more way I'd like to experience creative fulfillment in my life?"

"What's one small, easy step I could take toward that today?" 

(something that could be done in 5 minutes or less, and great news, daydreaming counts!)

I'd love to hear where these prompts lead you, how The Secret Sits speaks to you and if you're a Natural Art lover. Please feel free to share in the comment section below.

Until next time, all the best from my Secret Creative Oasis to yours,

Jill

Jill Allison Bryan

P.S. – If you'd like to have Mid-Week Oasis Moments (bite-sized bonbons of creative inspiration) delivered each week please sign up here: http://www.creativeoasiscoaching.com/newsletter.html

You'll also receive a free copy of "Permission to Be Creative 101" – my short e-book that will help you take the first small steps to make the time and space for creative fulfillment – your Creative Oasis – in  your busy life!