Nature connection prompt: Layering Purpose

...because we are nature

Layering purpose ‘doing’ card from the Cards for Life. Image credit: Katie Treggiden

This card really jumped out at me as if it wanted to be chosen today and I felt a full-bodied ‘yes’ in response, but it took me a while to understand why.

Before I share my reflections or Tom’s prompts from the reverse of the card, what does it say to you?

What does the idea of ‘layering purpose’ mean to you?

What does the image evoke – feel free to respond to both the image on the card and the entire image above in the setting I have chosen to photograph it.

How do you feel about the phrase ‘loving linking life in layers of ways’? Or ‘Become like a tree, a nexus of relationships’?

What about the invitation to ‘layer more than just human purpose in your activities and designs’?

Do you even feel confident about what your purpose is, let alone the ecosystems it might exist within?

If nothing comes up straight away, you’re not doing this wrong.

Look at the image and maybe start by writing down everything you notice.

Maybe also find some trees nearby, or even a clearing in the woods, and see what lessons they might hold for you.

Or simply bring to mind your favourite tree or woodland.

Then reflect on each of those things – what do they bring up for you?

Don’t be tempted to scroll down until you have captured at least some of your own reflections….

Have you done that?

Promise?

Okay.

What comes up for me

I love this card – it seems to hold so much promise. There’s a sense of emerging from the forest into a clearing towards the sun’s warmth, but still being surrounded by the ancient wisdom of the trees. Perhaps it signals coming out of my own period of transition into some sort of clarity.

The alliteration of ‘loving linking life in layers of ways’ is playful and encourages me to hold its interpretation lightly.

But to be honest, when I think about the concept of purpose, I can’t help by feel that I’ve been getting it wrong.