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 #3 explores imperfection, voice, amplification, and connection.
Songbird Three | 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 Three: Of Voice and Sky
Again, the girl came upon a small songbird.
“Hello,” she said.
“Hello,” said the songbird.
“I notice you are wandering,” the bird said to the girl. “Is there some way that I can help?”
“I fell from my nest,” the girl said. “And now I am lost. The forest looks so different from down here. I don’t know how to find my nest. Also, down here, I feel like I don’t belong. I’m trying to find a place where I belong.”
The little bird cocked its head in interest.
“Do tell more,” it chirped.
And so the girl told the little bird her story. She spoke of her joy of living in her treetop home; the devastation and grief she’d felt since the nest had been destroyed, and her effort to put her life back together ever since.
“I’ve met several of you songbirds,” the girl said. “They all had stories to share. You have a story to share, too, I can tell.”
The girl placed out the palm of her hand, which the songbird flew into and rested. Immediately, the Girl was filled with peace.
“Every lesson that the other birds have shared is true,” it said. “You do have a gift. And you do have the power of choice over how you view life’s difficulties. I am here to tell you about the power of voice.”
“We little songbirds are small, but our songs are mighty. You can hear us from a distance even if by size we are difficult to see.”
“I am scared to use my voice,” said the girl. “I fear that everyone will know that I am just the girl who is lost.”
“On the contrary,” said the bird. “When you use your voice, you will be found.”
“You see, your voice is unique. The message that you share is also unique, just like the songs of every type of bird.
Your voice identifies you—and when you use it, there are people who will listen. They will be drawn to you. And then you will not feel alone.”
“That sounds scary to me,” said the girl. “I think I should only use my voice after I have found my way back, when I feel secure in my home. Only then will my messages be credible, and clear, and only then will others listen.”
“On the contrary,” said the bird. “People don’t want to hear about your perfection. They want to hear about your journey because so many others are lost in the woods, too. Your voice will inspire them, give them direction. Plus you can make people smile, and give them hope.”
The girl pondered this.
“Others are lost, too? In this woods?”
“Oh, yes,” said the little bird. “They are everywhere, but you cannot see them for they, like you, and like us birds, are hidden among the branches.”
“Just use your voice, and they will hear you,” the little bird repeated. “Use your voice, and they will come, and you will all find a new direction.
“Use your voice, and they will come,” the little bird said one last time. And then it flew off into the treetops.
Songbirds on the Workbench | Jodi Rose Gonzales
The songbirds are a series of small sculptures comprised of seed pods, jewels, pine cone parts, and other found objects.
They represent the various matriarchs who steered me correctly, throughout life.
In the Girl in the Woods series, the first three Timberellas are depicted with a bird, and a key. The keys represent the wisdom teachings imparted by the songbirds.
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 guides creative people in unlocking their full potential. Get her free mini-course called Creative Freedom: Eight Essential Keys to Inspiration, HERE.