Always searching for red leaves...

Many years ago I was given this special book by a dear friend. I was going through a particularly dark time and struggling with ill health. The pages of this book had a profound affect on me and still do. Ever since, I keep an eye out for red trees, especially when I feel down and need a reminder to hope. Even in the darkest times if you search carefully, you will find a red leaf.

Whenever a customer comes in and needs a gift to uplift and encourage a friend, I recommend this book. I share my story of a dear friend giving it to me as a gift, and that it has changed the way I see my experiences.




Thankyou Mim for being a co-author of my life story. I am who I am because you are my friend.

"I dreamed my whole house was clean"...

Anne Taintor Range of magnets in store

Bibliotherapy

Have you ever read a book, a poem or an article and found that it resonated with your experience? Did this have a healing affect, leading to a sense of not being as alone? This is the premise of bibliotherapy - that identifying with a theme or character in a story can be therapeutic, when it leads to meaningful discussion that promotes personal growth.

Any book can have this affect on a person, be it a novel, biography or a self help manual. At The Story Tree, I am in the process of building a range of books that intentionally focus on issues that people struggle with. Sometimes we don't have a language for our feelings, and books can help us put words to these. Any suggestions are welcome!

But the beauty of books is that they are also a source of entertainment, adventure, mystery, drama etc. Reading for pleasure is good for you. A book I read recently called The Bright Side of Disaster by Katherine Center had me laughing out loud. I identified with some of the main character's experience of motherhood, and it left me with a good feeling inside when I finished it.

Let me share an example of how stories I have read have influenced me as a person:

As a young girl, the story of Anne of Green Gables profoundly shaped my idea of what sort of woman I wanted to grow up to be. She was an orphan who rose above her circumstances, was passionate, romantic and strong in her sense of self. She was teased and tested and stayed true to herself, winning people over with her character. I am still inspired by her!

This is what was....

The beginnings of The Story Tree go back to a young shy girl with a love of reading. This girl has always had a need to create a cosy, peaceful and beautiful space in which to be, to dream of possibilities and to get swept away in stories.

I am still her, just older and a little more brave. I never lost the craving for this space after leaving childhood bedrooms behind, all of them havens from the outside world.

I decided to create a place of sanctuary to share with others who may also long for a moment of dreaming, of losing themself in the pages of a book. My hope is that customers are inspired, thoughts are provoked and gifts that are meaningful bring joy.

So, this little shopfront you see here is where a dream was realised for me, and it is about to grow. We are moving to a bigger shopfront so that more stock will fit, and coffee will be served. I am overwhelmed thinking about how a picture inside of me has become a literal location, a real physical space. And then I cannot even begin to wrap my mind around the new, bigger, more beautiful, more potential to grow shopfront has come to be so quickly. I am a little scared that it is too good to be true, do you ever get that feeling? Do I really deserve this? This life I have is too blessed...