Caramel Core
Listen To Your Inner Voice
At the edge of the forest, an evergreen attempts to expand beyond its wings. Cradled between two trees, Caramel Core collects a tapestry of pine cones in an effort to plant new growth. Its circular nature represents the sturdy trunk and solid core of the future tree.
Like a gentle tap on the shoulder, a parade of soft messages arrive throughout the day. Silence opens the door to receive them. Stubbornness locks the key. We may hear—but will we truly listen? The message may not always make sense. Our task is to receive it with openness and follow the path.
Listen To Your Inner Voice
I walked on a path through dense woods. I was immersed in evergreens, next to a little pond that partially froze overnight. I held it as a sign that winter was coming, yet the breeze still held warm in the air. The path snaked around a bend and opened to a meadow in the distance. A large evergreen stood at the juncture, like a gateway to the vast land. It had a grandiose feeling - perched on a flat patch, all by itself.
Pine cones covered its feet like a decorative tree skirt. I was called to collect them so the tree could grow beyond its’ width. A spot in between two neighboring trees sucked me in. I grabbed the cones and transplanted them by the handful, a symbol of abundance that wanted to take place.
Instead of clearing the area, I kept the rocks and sticks that lay on the ground. I constructed the cones in a circular fashion, representing the trunk of the next tree. I placed only a few, allowing most of them to fall where they may. In one layer, they gathered vertical, horizontal, and perpendicular to the last. An irregular pattern took shape. A tapestry was formed, revealing the intricacies of each cone and the communication between them.
One look at the final piece, and I was mesmerized. The caramel tone of the cones stood out against its grey surroundings, drawing my eye to the earth. I witnessed the seeds sink into the ground and roots of the next tree take shape. The cones wanted to harmonize with the landscape. I heard the thump of a heartbeat as I left the scene. If you’re feeling out of tune, use the following questions to listen to your inner voice:
What thoughts have been repeating?
Which ones have you ignored?
Where are you being too stubborn to listen?
