trunks and branches
weekly story work exercise + thoughts on expansion
If you’re new here, Story Work is the name of my current book-in-progress. It describes a process of reflecting, reclaiming, and reimagining the stories of our lives. It involves looking at your life experiences as creative material that you have the power to shape.
The weekly story work topics cover universal life themes with references from literature, philosophy, science, and spirituality; offering perspectives that spark ideas for personal growth and creative expression.
Paid subscribers receive Story Work exercises every Sunday night at 8 pm et.
Hi friends,
I am feeling so stretched lately. Like Life is saying: Here you go. Here is what you asked for. Now it’s time to show that you have expanded enough to sustain it.
Expanded enough to handle the sacrifices that come with walking in your calling. Expanded enough to stay focused when you are pulled in different directions and you have to make strategic decisions instead of emotional ones. Expanded enough to miss out on some things in the present, so you can nurture what you’re growing for the future. Expanded enough to be still and experience your own uncertainty, impatience, and reluctance. Expanded enough to reinforce your boundaries when people in your life are dissatisfied with how your transformation is affecting them. Expanded enough to meet new versions of yourself, with capabilities and strengths that you once thought you’d never have.
A few things I know for sure:
We never stop expanding.
We can’t expand without acknowledging the walls and barriers we’ve built over the years that are in the way. Walls that are made of shame, guilt, pain, and assumptions.
If we don't prepare ourselves for the emotional challenges of the opportunities we’ve asked for, we’ll hit a wall when our old beliefs, thoughts, habits, and patterns conflict with our aspirations.
Grief is part of growth. Letting go of old identities often feels like you’re losing someone. You’re detaching from reflexes and tendencies that are so familiar, you don’t yet know how to operate without them.
Every challenge is an experiment. Every experience is creative material. There is no perfection or precision in growth. It’s messy. It’s awkward. It’s beautiful.
If you are being stretched right now, remember:
You are not struggling, you are evolving.
You’re not stuck, you’re in a cocoon of transformation.
You’re not losing yourself, you’re becoming more of who you authentically are.
Every challenge we face helps us understand our unique life path on a deeper level, build courage and resilience, and step into the next level of the journey with wisdom that we specifically need.
No matter the results, simply showing up for each challenge breaks down another barrier to your growth, purpose, and vision.
When in doubt, I always return to my WHY, my desire to experience a life led by faith instead of fear. For this week’s story work exercise, let’s continue exploring how our life experiences shape who we are today and the callings and visions that keep us expanding.
“A tree says: A kernel is hidden in me, a spark, a thought, I am life from eternal life. The attempt and the risk that the eternal mother took with me is unique, unique the form and veins of my skin, unique the smallest play of leaves in my branches and the smallest scar on my bark. I was made to form and reveal the eternal in my smallest special detail.” — Herman Hesse
trunks and branches
Have you started the Tree of Life exercise? Last week, we started by drawing a tree and noting the people, places, and things that make up our Roots: where we come from, how we grew up, what influenced our upbringing. We also reflected on the Grass which includes where we are now and the activities and habits that nourish us.
The exercise, created by David Denborough is a visual metaphor representing life and the various elements that connect a person’s past, present, and future. You can find some examples of how the tree looks here.
We’re taking this exercise step-by-step over the next few weeks, journaling about the stories that come up as we go.
This week, let’s focus on the Trunk and the Branches which you can label on your drawing as follows:
The Trunk
Write your values, gifts, and skills on the trunk. These are personality traits that shape who you are and give you a sense of self-ownership and self-worth. You can start by writing your values at the base of the trunk and then write your gifts and skills as you make your way up to the top to show how your values bloom into actions.
The Branches
Write down your hopes, dreams, and wishes on the branches. These can be personal or general. They can be short-term or long-term. The branches represent the future. You can use this part to write your creative visions and callings and how they branch out to contribute to the dreams and wishes you have for your family, community, and the world.
Over the next few weeks as you complete each step, you will continue to unlock more memories and ideas for other parts of your tree.
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Mental Health Note: Keep in mind that this is a creative exercise that may bring up painful memories and feelings. Check in with yourself as you proceed and seek professional help or support from loved ones as needed.
Exercise:
Journaling can help you explore the connections between each section as we continue to make our way up the Tree of Life over the next few weeks. For now, use the following questions to reflect on what we’ve covered so far.
Look at the relationships between each part. How do your Roots nourish your Trunk? How does your Trunk enable your Branches? How does your Grass keep you grounded as you branch out?
What connections, patterns, or themes do you see?
Have you uncovered any blind spots or surprises while doing this exercise?
Write a memory or story that allows you to explore one or more of these connections.