Finding the Mother Tree: Discovering the Wisdom of the Forest

by Suzanne Simard

There is a necessary wisdom in the give-and-take of nature—its quiet agreements and search for balance. There is an extraordinary generosity.

“Only fools and newcomers try to predict the weather.”

Ecosystems are so similar to human societies—they’re built on relationships. The stronger those are, the more resilient the system.

Jean joined me in Vancouver for an InspireHealth workshop on surviving cancer. Experts walked us through ways to improve our chances—by exercising, eating well, sleeping well, and reducing stress. But the most important thing was to ensure that our relationships were strong and to keep communicating how we felt. We are defined by our relationships, a doctor said. The single characteristic of people who survive cancer: they never give up hope.