Arroe Collins Forest Stories

I'm not a weatherman but I do enjoy studying the way of the rain. As much as I want to believe each drop is sent to feed the roots of a tree it's never met, the other side of my creative mind believes rain is sent to locate an ocean. This far inland how can such a thought be possible? You like to dream right? Your thoughts are single drops of rain. Somehow someway you get to touch the opposite sid...

Living in the present is a tough walk. There are too many things taking place in our past to suddenly drop it off. To stay in a moment of "Now" I ask myself, "What are you feeling in the present?" Mindfully I accept as well as respect the surrounding atmosphere. This reminds me of my many walks through several forests. I find incredible pleasure in staring at the floor of collected limbs, leaves,...

We measure a lot of who we are by the changing of seasons. When it's summer that gives us permission to run like children and play out things like never before. Fall and Winter are reminders to drop our old souls off and begin new paths of change and recovery. It all sounds nice but we keep forgetting about your image. On this podcast we talk about how current bosses and decision makers very rarel...

Not once but twice the Carolina's were hit by either a hurricane or tropical storm. We barely caught up with the required cleaning before we were interrupted from a different direction. During both cases I paid close attention to the stream located in the center of my forest. For twenty six years I've not trusted the banks of this natural carrier of flow. Every storm makes me feel like a fool beca...

When Fall arrives in Carolina each year I pay close attention to how the trees never mourn the loss of their leaves. It's physical proof of how each of us need to move in forward motion and emotion. The tree doesn't bend to wave goodbye nor does a tree keep the flying leaves near its trunk for future use. It says "I'm done. Thank you very much." Can you imagine where you'd be in life if you spent...

These are great times to spend moments sitting in a chair watching spiders mastermind their plans to build the biggest and best web caught between tree limbs. The average person can't stand the sight or thought of a spider being anywhere near their next step. It's a spiritual moment to sit with spiders. Native American spirituality teaches us that spiders showcase an opportunity to access our deep...

How often do you go back into your social media posts? It says a lot about how you express. At times I feel like I'm a magnet to everybody's bad day, mood or misunderstanding. It's like an old episode of Batman. Boom! Pow! Biff! That's not the subject of this podcast. Today it's having the courage to go back into what we've written and see how we've grown from those unfiltered moments. I'm a daily...

I sat in my forest in south Charlotte, NC as Tropical Storm Florence made her way across our lay of land. As the rain began to fall I listened to it's pleasant voice as it fell between the leaves still attached to the trees. I guess you can me a true tree hugger. It's more than that. I've written in this forest since 1994. A lot of thoughts and word shapes were put into play because of an energy w...

Magnifying the image of where courage and strength come from is a very difficult subject for many to openly discuss. I know a lot of people that try to laugh off the compliment, "You know how it is. You stick to something you like and eventually it pays off." On today's podcast the Poet in the Forest has no fear of sharing his heart in the way of making sure that his relationship with the Greater...

I sat writing in the forest. On this particular day there seemed to be less birds. It looked as if the sun was dimmer then usual. I wasn't moved but rather bothered. It was the center of summer and the forest usually doesn't locate calm until the leaves begin to fall. Then it occurred to me. This must be what peaceful sounds like. In this age of so many sights and sounds we've lost our way. We ass...

I recently sat staring into a swarm of Dragonflies. My studies of Native American Spirituality opened the soul I carry to what it meant to be in such a moment. To become aware of falsehoods, deceit and illusions. I could've easily stopped there but I wanted to bring God into the picture. Dragonflies in that shape of study represents transformation. As a writer and endless thinker it was now time t...

While growing up I always took note of the older generation getting away with a lot of things they said and physically did. It's almost as if a person hits a certain age and society accepts their actions as just being what old people do. Being the bystander I wanted to know why so many forgave the actions. More importantly what would turn off someone's personal censors? My trip back home to Montan...

My most recent journey back home to Montana wasn't designed to collect memories but rather to open my heart toward newer beginnings. One such place of study was taking the time to write while sitting next to my father's grave site. Since May 7, 2015 the physical thought of losing him hadn't truly sunk in. Maybe it's the shape of my spirituality. I thought for sure I'd be moved to deeper tears duri...

My most recent trip back home to Montana is still very much alive within the steps I walk. I didn't return home to catch up on memories or to feel like a kid again. It was more of a journey to drop stuff off. In each of our days we carry with us a ton of reasons to grab hold of more memories or to hold onto moments we still can't figure out. It adds up quickly and without a doubt it becomes an out...

My most recent journey back home to Montana was more than a first time event in thirteen years. I found myself in positions of thought that weren't fed by reminiscing but rather understanding the construction of the platforms to which I presently stand. In all our pasts rest the original seeds of inspiration and influence. Not always a positive fuel for the history books. In today's world we're OK...

I struggle with memories. It's not that I can't remember. I don't feel in this age of continuous growth that we need to feed our creative minds with memories. Being upfront and honest. How many of your memories have been rewritten by your imaginations curse to always want the best of times? My most recent trip back home to Montana wasn't designed to catch up on memories or check in with chapters a...

With so many choices many of us have gotten caught up in playing the game but not living the lifestyle. Radio is a great example. Anyone and pretty much everyone thinks they can be on the air. In every lecture I always ask, "I think it's awesome that you have the confidence to pop open that microphone and share your personality. But do you have the courage to sit in that seat when the weather has...

We hear a lot of talk about disconnecting. Getting away from the weekend versus disconnecting from one time working relationships aren't the same. Friends disconnect more than connect. What you think you once had is now part of that conversation, "Oh we went our own separate ways." Lebron James has helped teach this nation how disconnection is the advantage. It's not about anybody but himself. Ouc...

Too many times we get caught up in conversations with coworkers and friends that seem to lean hard on how others treat them. Even my father would complain about how decision makers and worker bees endlessly took from him. He felt abused by the system of leadership and those that follow. When we enter those moments of exchange is it truly taking? We all knew what the snake was when we picked it up....

Those aching moments. You've poured your everything into generating what was supposed to be a very successful career. No payoff has arrived. You've been professionally patient not just this year but throughout every change and challenge presented. Yet the ache won't go away. You are brilliant at your job but there's no connection to the infectious high that was promised when goals were met. No mat...

I recently wrote about experiencing a feeling of my head being held under water during a baptism. Inside that moment my feet were attached to the center point of walk and don't walk. What is the next step if what's being lived clearly points in two different directions? Which is nothing new to our everyday life and world. I believe we have more choices then Google has answers. We live and breathe...

For some this might be too heavy. Accepting the moments that feel out of place during the tragic loss of a loved one. It's been two months since word reached me about my brother. Never once have I felt hurt and or alone. All too many times along the path I kept hearing the preachers in the pulpit shout out about Jesus and his guarantee to give each and everyone of us an everlasting life. Great sal...

I got into a huge conversation with a Pastor yesterday about developing friendships. I was honest, "Friends in 2018 are an investment. It requires time, space, forgiveness, growth and your mother's kitchen sink. I don't feel the development of such a term is a good way to utilize time. Therefore I build and create relationships based 100% on the value of the moment." His reaction was immediate, "H...

There are so many subjects attached to this particular moment of thought moving in forward motion. We could spend time talking about intuition and how we choose not to listen. We know of an approaching change in our personal seasons but rely on outside objects and gadgets to keep us free of the weight. It's almost like turning up the car radio to the point of no longer hearing the clanking in the...

I'm going to point blank ask the question, "Who do you super serve? Yourself? Your God? Your Boss? Sadly I think all three are somewhere in the Top 10 but nowhere near where they should be. Getting a grip on the chapters we are participating with requires the courage to take note of where you presently stand. I'm blessed daily with the opportunity to talk to the biggest names in music, movies, tel...