“You don’t know what you’ve got ’till its gone.”
— Joni Mitchell

After the recent fires, walking through the forests at New Tree Ranch has been different. I no longer hear the trees that I used to communicate with every day. Many of the trees that are still standing have lost their vibrant green color, and seem to be in hibernation after surviving the flames that overtook this land. What I am observing is the dance between destruction and creation, between life and death. But with every death, comes a rebirth. These are dualities, and both sides of the polarity are equally important.

This is no longer the same forest that spoke to me for so many years. Rather, it is a new forest, full of germinating seeds awakened by a devastating fire. The forest is still alive, and like all living things, it is evolving. I see that a lot of the dead foliage has been cleared, healing the forest and creating space for new growth. Today, I am excited to see how the forest will evolve and for the rebirth of a new forest that is healthier, happier and more resilient.