Truth in Technicolor

Oz, SW11 9NJ

I always feel a sense of relief when I slip away from the busy London bustle, into the slow, comforting embrace of Battersea Park.

Simple, perfect, calm.

The iconic Wizard of Oz scene when Dorothy opens the door to reveal the splendour of Oz for the first time comes to mind. Instead, however, I have been transported via bus, and not flying house, from the frantic monotone rigidity of Queenstown Road, into the flowing, technicolor-majesty of Battersea Park; Oz...

I adore meandering mindlessly through the park, taking deeeeeep breaths of clean, fragrant air - destination, right here.

I seek out my squirrel buddies within the foliage, stopping to coo at the IMPOSSIBLE cuteness of one particularly chubby cream-bellied individual, (who looked like a Theodore to me), only to get the distinct impression that 'he knows he is adorable (DUH), and would rather I kept it moving (unless I came bearing nutty gifts).'

'Theodore giving me evils'

Well, OK Theo, Sir, I can take a hint... Love you anyway.

Wandering, wondering...

Today, for some reason though, I started wondering how oak trees managed to look so ‘oaky’ from leaf to bark, and why ash tree leaves, for example, do not appear on oak trees?

How do they all seem to know who they are, and, what they are doing, in perfect coordination, adapting gracefully with the seasons, without complaint (as far as I am aware!), and in perfect synchronicity with one another?

What might this mean?

Then my eye is drawn lower, to the mix of unique shades, colours, sizes, shapes and textures of foliage and vividly coloured flowers, all confidently occupying the same space, complementing one another’s natural beauty, without competition, without conflict, uniformity unnecessary.

Below ground, a private and mysterious world of roots weaving together like veins, nourishing, anchoring and connecting.

The scene struck me as profound.

I used to say ‘we all bleed red’ to explain why we should be kind to one another, however, on reflection, WHY should similarity be a requirement of kindness and understanding? WHY should differences have to first be ignored, when according to this scene, difference is BEAUTIFUL.

Rose Versus Lavender?

I narrowly missed being hit by a rogue cyclist, or, flying monkey, as I muttered under my breath. Probably my fault to be fair; walk in straight lines? Me? Nope!

The conversation continued...

What if a rose spent time feeling inadequate because its lavender neighbour smelt gorgeous?

What if its lavender neighbour, spent a dissatisfied life trying to look more like the rose?

LUNACY, right?

Oh, and what an utter waste!

If only they knew, they were already whole, and who they were designed to be?

"You've always had the power my dear, you just had to learn it for yourself." Glenda, Wizard of Oz

Perhaps...

Our strength comes from being the most healthy, unique, unapologetic, authentic, weird, wonderful, MAGNIFICENT versions of ourselves. Those who resonate with us, will, genuinely - those who do not, will, elsewhere. Everyone’s a winner, baby!

Perhaps if we can genuinely compliment and celebrate others, we can learn to compliment and celebrate ourselves too, and vice versa?

Perhaps amazing individuals, create amazing communities, so, it is our duty to live the full version of ourselves?!

Imagine...

I left Battersea Park returning to the whizzing world of Queenstown Road, feeling a little more ‘Queenly’ and a lot more ME.

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• After note - I attended a conference shortly after this experience, and happened to cross paths with a rather dashing arboriculturist, who happened to hear me discussing this very blog (the universe eh..). He explained that trees share a symbiotic cross-species relationship. For example, if one tree is dehydrated, the others have the capacity to share water via their roots, in order to support the ailing tree. They also release pheromones to protect one another from bugs!