“As buds give rise by growth to fresh buds, and these, if vigorous, branch out and overtop on all sides many a feeble branch, so by generation I believe it has been with the great Tree of Life, which fills with its dead and broken branches the crust of the earth, and covers the surface with its ever-branching and beautiful ramifications.”
(Charles Darwin, The Origin of Species)
After a recent dinner’s conversation, I had a dream that night about Denmark’s Destiny and the Tree of Life. What brought many to Denmark a hundred years ago and today – trees. This special place of Denmark with such beautiful and giving trees, has economically and inspirationally sustained and nurtured generations of people – from early tree loggers to modern tree huggers. Trees are core business and core values of this community. Trees also keep us alive on this planet. Without the humble and magnificent tree we literally can’t breathe, feed and grow.
My dream was quite specific. I saw an empty tower, a Seed, inviting us to hold dear and shape together Denmark’s Destiny – past, present and future. I saw through the gifts and sharings of many – artists, craftspeople, scientists, environmentalists, farmers and tree loggers, business and tourist operators, community groups and families, and holders of Denmark’s collective history and governance, a coming together for a common and vital purpose – a celebration, honouring and creative expression of Denmark’s growth as seen through the symbol and life of Tree.
How wonderful it would be to have a dedicated place like our community Visitor Centre where many aspects of Denmark’s history and current attractiveness and resourcefulness can have a showing and a telling. A place where tourists, children and all can learn about history, about environment, about sustainable growth, about economic and creative possibilities, about a community’s ongoing and evolving development – and most of all, about a Denmarkian future that can be co-created with collective pride. A ‘towering space’ where each of us can go for inspiration, ongoing education and to joyfully share with our visiting friends from all over the world who can recognize and value much of themselves and their communities in that Tree of Life. This winter, the natural time for regenerating and re-visioning life, let us Dream Big and Grow Well together.
“Rooted securely in the earth, trees reach toward the heavens. All across the planet, trees-in a wonderful profusion of form and function-literally hold the world together.” (David Suzuki, Tree a Biography)