Keep a Green Tree in your heart and perhaps a singing bird will come. -Chinese Proverb
A tree is nourished by the sun, by nutrients in the soil and the air and the refreshing rain, among other ideal conditions for its growth. So is our being nourished in different ways. We are nourished by external factors such as movement, fresh air, nutrituous food and so on. There are also internal factors that give us nourishment such as healthy thoughts and beliefs, receiving and expressing love and a life of purpose and contribution. To me, 'the green tree in your heart' refers to keeping your heart and mind and body open and nourished.
A few moments of mindfulness make a world of difference. -Sue Patton Thoele
Thoele is referring to mindfulness in everyday life that brings us new perspectives on almost everything. Here, mindfulness can mean sitting in meditation with eyes closed, focusing on the movement of our breath, focusing on a mantra or simply witnessing what is. Yet, it can also mean bringing our attention to each moment in a new, refreshing and active way regardless of where we are and what we are doing or how we are being.