Mesa, I could see myself right there too—more through the way the creek opened the clearing than through the trees themselves. I love trees, especially when they stand in open space. The tall, wide-armed ones with room to breathe between them. The kind that leave the horizon intact, that hold stories in their bark and whisper endurance through every branch.
Lately, I’ve noticed something new in my body. When I step into thick woods with tight canopies and shadowed undergrowth, I tense. I breathe shallow. My system braces. I become hyper-alert, scanning, on edge. And it’s not about the trees—it’s about the enclosure. The closing in. So when I imagine Sedona, those vast open canyons and that red rock embrace, I feel a very different kind of memory. Sensual, grounded, electric. I felt something ancient in those rocks, something that met me fully.
And as I’ve moved through my own healing journey, those inner vortexes have pulled me deep. I’ve learned to let myself be drawn into the depth—not forced, just followed—and somewhere near the bottom, I come through integrated. There, release feels possible. Breath returns. Presence lands.
So yes, your writing reaches that deep place too. It opened a path I hadn’t touched in years. That’s what I search for in what I read. Not polish. Not precision. Connection. Does it reach beneath thought? Does it speak to the inner knowing I carry, even when I forget it’s there? Yours does. And I treasure that.
You’re one of the few writers whose words help me reconnect to long-held memories—ones that live in the body long before they make it to the page. I feel so grateful to share this creative space with you. Thank you for writing from your roots and letting those words stretch toward mine.
Not to make this about not connecting with others, because yes - you nailed it. And what I find, is that when I feel that connection with others, I feel a deep connection with myself. And the opposite is true, which means that loneliness is an illusion. Because if you connect with yourself, then you automatically want to call your family member that you've been dreading, or that friend whose mother just died and you don't know what to say. All the connection is good. I love it all. I'll take it where I can get it. None of it is selfish, even when it feels like it is. It's not indulgent, as you say, it's necessary, and in fact, we are connected at the roots.
yes, it's wonderful, but it's even simpler than that - less limiting than I may have let on.
I don't think you have to be connected, because it happens automatically when the other person is open (via mirror neurons).
you can connect with others (which means you're connecting with yourself). OR, you can connect with yourself (and ultimately, that means you're connecting with others*). it works either way (both ways).
*without getting into a discussion on consciousness, let me say, and I think you'll agree, that you don't need to connect directly with someone in the room. they can be far away. they may not even be here anymore. but they are here. and you can connect with them. I know you know what I mean.
so, in a way, it can be very simple...if you can connect with someone (alive or dead) who's not in the room by connecting with yourself, then you can connect only with yourself and still make an impact.
I think that's the most important point, because we don't always have someone directly in front of us or on a screen or on the phone. but we can still connect. and we don't need them there, because we always have them, like Harry with his forehead scar.
so, if we have two ways to connect (directly via them, and indirectly via ourselves), and if both ways result in feeling connected with someone else, then there is no need for loneliness anymore. I don't know if that went too far out into lala land.
what I mean is, I don't think that in order for you to connect, you need to be connected. I don't mean to suggest that we need to limit ourselves in that way. you are connected when you connect with someone else. AND, you can connect with someone by first connecting with yourself (which is what you're saying...but that's not a requirement, because it also happens as a result).
now I sound like a crazy person, so I'll stop. ha!
We could learn so much from trees if we would only listen. Sadly, while some of us live in awe of trees - falling in love with individuals and whole species all the time - most of society is blind to their beauty and wisdom and collective compassion.
Love this, Mesa! One of my favorite places in the world is Sedona! While I love the wood wide web of tree roots systems as well, I am drawn to the giant red rocks of Sedona. The last time I visited was a solo trip for me, and I made so many awesome connections with strangers who became friends, if only for a few brief moments.
Connection is my fifth Clifton Strength (personality test), and I was hoping to make more/find some here on Substack. But it been a slow/rough go.
I can see a lot of commonalities between us when I read your work, so thanks for making another one with this piece! 😊
I feel the same way about nature and how beautiful the connection could be with humans as well.
There are some of us on a spiritual journey, others still finding their path, but we all eventually get there.
Thanks for sharing xx
Yes! We’re all just doing our best. And looking for each other along the way.
Same.
🫶🏻
Mesa, I could see myself right there too—more through the way the creek opened the clearing than through the trees themselves. I love trees, especially when they stand in open space. The tall, wide-armed ones with room to breathe between them. The kind that leave the horizon intact, that hold stories in their bark and whisper endurance through every branch.
Lately, I’ve noticed something new in my body. When I step into thick woods with tight canopies and shadowed undergrowth, I tense. I breathe shallow. My system braces. I become hyper-alert, scanning, on edge. And it’s not about the trees—it’s about the enclosure. The closing in. So when I imagine Sedona, those vast open canyons and that red rock embrace, I feel a very different kind of memory. Sensual, grounded, electric. I felt something ancient in those rocks, something that met me fully.
And as I’ve moved through my own healing journey, those inner vortexes have pulled me deep. I’ve learned to let myself be drawn into the depth—not forced, just followed—and somewhere near the bottom, I come through integrated. There, release feels possible. Breath returns. Presence lands.
So yes, your writing reaches that deep place too. It opened a path I hadn’t touched in years. That’s what I search for in what I read. Not polish. Not precision. Connection. Does it reach beneath thought? Does it speak to the inner knowing I carry, even when I forget it’s there? Yours does. And I treasure that.
You’re one of the few writers whose words help me reconnect to long-held memories—ones that live in the body long before they make it to the page. I feel so grateful to share this creative space with you. Thank you for writing from your roots and letting those words stretch toward mine.
Love you dearly my friend,
Xoxo Jay
Oh Jay, I love you. I’m so glad we can connect in this time and this space!! 🩵🩵🩵
Not to make this about not connecting with others, because yes - you nailed it. And what I find, is that when I feel that connection with others, I feel a deep connection with myself. And the opposite is true, which means that loneliness is an illusion. Because if you connect with yourself, then you automatically want to call your family member that you've been dreading, or that friend whose mother just died and you don't know what to say. All the connection is good. I love it all. I'll take it where I can get it. None of it is selfish, even when it feels like it is. It's not indulgent, as you say, it's necessary, and in fact, we are connected at the roots.
I love this! Thank you for reminding me that in order to connect I have to be connected!! 😍😍😍
yes, it's wonderful, but it's even simpler than that - less limiting than I may have let on.
I don't think you have to be connected, because it happens automatically when the other person is open (via mirror neurons).
you can connect with others (which means you're connecting with yourself). OR, you can connect with yourself (and ultimately, that means you're connecting with others*). it works either way (both ways).
*without getting into a discussion on consciousness, let me say, and I think you'll agree, that you don't need to connect directly with someone in the room. they can be far away. they may not even be here anymore. but they are here. and you can connect with them. I know you know what I mean.
so, in a way, it can be very simple...if you can connect with someone (alive or dead) who's not in the room by connecting with yourself, then you can connect only with yourself and still make an impact.
I think that's the most important point, because we don't always have someone directly in front of us or on a screen or on the phone. but we can still connect. and we don't need them there, because we always have them, like Harry with his forehead scar.
so, if we have two ways to connect (directly via them, and indirectly via ourselves), and if both ways result in feeling connected with someone else, then there is no need for loneliness anymore. I don't know if that went too far out into lala land.
what I mean is, I don't think that in order for you to connect, you need to be connected. I don't mean to suggest that we need to limit ourselves in that way. you are connected when you connect with someone else. AND, you can connect with someone by first connecting with yourself (which is what you're saying...but that's not a requirement, because it also happens as a result).
now I sound like a crazy person, so I'll stop. ha!
Ahhh I see what you mean now!!
Gonna be thinking about this line for the rest of the week… “ It’s there in the roots where communication happens - warnings and nurturing.” So good.
Thank you, Riley 🩵🩵
We could learn so much from trees if we would only listen. Sadly, while some of us live in awe of trees - falling in love with individuals and whole species all the time - most of society is blind to their beauty and wisdom and collective compassion.
So so true!!
Love this, Mesa! One of my favorite places in the world is Sedona! While I love the wood wide web of tree roots systems as well, I am drawn to the giant red rocks of Sedona. The last time I visited was a solo trip for me, and I made so many awesome connections with strangers who became friends, if only for a few brief moments.
Connection is my fifth Clifton Strength (personality test), and I was hoping to make more/find some here on Substack. But it been a slow/rough go.
I can see a lot of commonalities between us when I read your work, so thanks for making another one with this piece! 😊
—Angie
Thanks so much, Angie!! And I so very much love those magical red rocks too!! They always always lifted me right up 😍😍😍
So glad you e gotten to experience them too!!
Many times I have thought that I would love to be a tree. 💕