I thought of happiness, how it is woven
Out of the silence in the empty house each day
And how it is not sudden and it is not given
But is creation itself like the growth of a tree.
No one has seen it happen, but inside the bark
Another circle is growing in the expanding ring.
No one has heard the root go deeper in the dark,
But the tree is lifted by this inward work
And its plumes shine, and its leaves are glittering.
The opening verse of a poem called ‘The Work of Happiness’ by May Sarton (1912–95), a Belgian-American writer who made an art of living in solitude, surrounded by nature. Happiness, she believes, is the work of slow, invisible and enduring growth, which then bursts into unmistakable magnificence, just like a tree’s lush canopy.
The poem also connects interiors with exteriors: a home with its surrounding greenery, subtle internal processes with outward glory. While Sarton’s poetic language elevates the subject matter, she is nonetheless describing how happiness quietly eventuates from the simple routines and iterations of every day: ‘it is not sudden and it is not given.’
We can weave happiness—contentment—into and out of our daily routines by bringing the outdoors inside through natural cleaning and personal care products infused with essential oils from Australian native botanicals. Whether in a laundry liquid or a hand lotion, these essential oils not only cleanse and nourish, but also support mental health. Nature’s ability to uplift mood and wellbeing lies at the heart of what we do at Koala Eco, where all of our efforts are geared towards encouraging people to connect with nature as much as possible in their daily lives.
Nurturing our relationship with nature is a way of healing and returning to ourselves; a reminder we are part of this incredible, interdependent ecosystem, which despite the damage that’s been done to it, still supports and nourishes us. Choosing natural products that connect you to nature with ingredients that won’t harm the planet and a company that gives back through 1 % for the Planet, The Critters Program and Repurpose is a way of maintaining that relationship.
Through these essential oils we can feel connected to the mind-clearing aura of the mighty Eucalyptus, or the calming effects of Rosalina, the bush lavender. We can accept the invitation to be conscious of how self-care helps us care in turn for others and, like May Sarton’s tree, we can truly be lifted by this inward work.
