There once was a girl, who lived in the woods, in a nest on the tallest of treetops…
Through parable and environmental sculpture, Girl in the Woods is an ongoing body of work that explores my personal journey through the lens of yoga philosophy and nature-based art. Central to the story is a woodland character named Timberella. Parable 5 describes her return to the broken nest, and moment of catharsis.
Claiming Power Back | Jodi Rose Gonzales
In the opening scene, Timberella is a young girl who is blown from her nest during a great storm. She awakens on the forest floor: frightened, lost, and naive.
Timberella is used to the view from the treetops, and the forest is an entirely new scene. She begins to wander, interacting with various forest creatures who impart their wisdom teachings.
Parable FIVE: Catharsis
And now the girl stood before the shattered remains of her once-great home. The tree itself was now ancient, still standing although its limbs had become heavy and slipped apart. Her crushed nest remained at the base, with bits and pieces scattered all around.
Pausing, she took things in.
She noticed the texture of sounds and life within the forest, and remembered the first songbird’s keynote:
“I am connected to something greater than myself, and I have a unique gift, even if it’s one that I don’t yet see.”
She looked upward, to the treetops. Because the limbs had opened, she could see the sky. She remembered the second songbird’s keynote:
“I have the choice over whether I define myself as a victim of the great storm….or to decide that the storm was something that opened the opportunity for new friends, experiences, and adventure.”
Next, she looked at her feet…the forest floor was covered in velvety, bright green moss. She remembered the third songbird’s keynote:
“My voice is unique, and I can use it to share my experiences, and to inspire and help others.”
Finally, she brought her gaze back to the shattered nest…and she noticed she felt at peace.
From her heart, she began to speak:
“I am no longer the Girl in the Woods who lost her way,” said she.
“I am no longer defined by the Great Storm, or the pieces that were left behind: broken.
“I know I am so much more than the once-was being who lived in the treetops. I have learned that I am part of something greater than that; I am part treetop and part songbird. I am the sky and the trees, I am the forest floor and the seashore. I am the sand, the branches, the flowers, and the leaves.
“I am defined by all that has happened to me, and by my interactions with all who I meet.
“I now humbly understand that all these things prepared me for becoming who I am meant to be…not the person I thought I should be.
“I understand that I am to be the Keeper of Rosewood Forest. As such, I am supposed to share what I have learned in my adventures and dialogues with the creatures that live here. It doesn’t matter who will hear, but I know the right people will hear, people that need to hear my story.
“Therefore, I look upon you, shattered nest, no longer as something terrible that happened. I see you, now, as my life’s most important gift.”
With her heart lifted and her eyes shining bright, the Girl stepped back onto the path that led through the forest. She vowed to return to the site and to maintain it, not because she couldn’t let go of her past, but because it was a place to be held with reverence.
At The Crash Site | Jodi Rose Gonzales
Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference.
Inside the 8 Keys mini-course you’ll find audio meditations, fourteen art prompts, a practice guide, and additional resources to support your art-based mindfulness practice. The 8 Keys is FREE and housed inside Jodi’s app, True Natured Creatives. Available in your Apple or Google Play stores, or explore it online here.
Jodi Rose Gonzales ATR, NCC, ERYT, YACEP was recently celebrated in Times Square as the International Association of Top Professional’s Global Impact Artist of the Year. She an artist, art therapist, author and yoga teacher who inspires her audiences through art and teachings intended to spread more hope and healing throughout the world. Get her free mini-course called Creative Freedom: Eight Essential Keys to Inspiration, HERE.