Book excerpt: Nature holds the secret to your happiness, health and wellbeing. Now at last, you can unlock it. We associate trees and woodlands with harmony, health and vitality. And yet, so often, we struggle to experience these qualities in our everyday lives. What if we could harness the wisdom of the forest for ourselves? Think like a Tree, the first guide of its kind, reveals the underlying principles of nature's secrets of success one by one. These natural principles evolved over billions of years--they're the rules and patterns that all living things have in common for: finding purpose; growth and success; solving problems; building resilience; creating ideal conditions to thrive; developing positive relationships; and leaving a lasting legacy. Drawing on woodland examples from around the globe, Think like a Tree shares the amazing abilities of trees, their, evolutionary success stories and their abilities to heal. Real-world case studies demonstrate how the Think like a Tree principles are being applied right now by people around the world. Exercises for each of the principles allow readers to put into practice the wisdom shared by the living world in this unique and practical personal development book. This book guides you to discover your own personal route to happiness, health, success and fulfilment--whatever your circumstances. The natural principles, harnessed from observations in nature, can be used for: -wellbeing -physical health -psychological health and happiness -overcoming a life challenge -staying motivated -relationship issues -employment -business management -planning your free time -being an active part of your community -initiating change -learning how to live sustainably -looking forward to the future -and more In addition, the book shares secrets from biomimicry, permaculture, green living and sustainable business, to make this a comprehensive guide for living the life that you want to lead, whilst considering your impact on the living world. Author, Sarah Spencer Sarah Spencer is passionate about trees. She lives on a smallholding in the National Forest in Derbyshire in the centre of the UK with her family, and loves growing vegetables, fruit and cut flowers. She manages a woodland that she designed and planted from scratch. Whilst designing landscapes, gardens and woodlands, Sarah came to realise that the same principles that make forests successful and enduring can be applied to our own lives. Sarah has used these tools and principles in a wide range of applications in her own life. Throughout the book Sarah shares her story of incredible health recovery - how she used the natural principles to overcome significant illness, find her purpose and achieve happiness. She now spends her time inspiring others to use trees and nature to design the life they want to lead via books, workshops and online courses. Beautiful illustrations by Eva Elliott Spencer make this a book to treasure.