The Story Behind the Logo
Quick note: This post was written when Uncharted Territory had a different logo (a tree outline with trunk and leaves against a yellow background) and is not about the updated logo (a red and blue compass face against a yellow swirl) which you see on the site today. I decided the keep the post as I think it’s important to share how we learn and grow through our process.
Set against an earthy yellow, Uncharted Territory’s logo is a tree, which branches out supporting green leaves of different shapes and sizes. Why does a consulting company that works for organizational development through stories and creative play have a tree as it’s logo? Well, there’s a story behind it…
The world we live in changing rapidly, and the way that we relate and communicate as humans changes just as rapidly. We can constantly and instantly connect to each, however that connection- very quickly- can become superficial and meaningless. Instead of taking a trip to your favorite shop, you order what you want in one click on Amazon. While spending time with loved ones you might be more attentive to all of the messages you are receiving on your phone as opposed to what they may be telling you in person. In both our personal and professional lives, it has become increasingly difficult to focus, be present, and sustain meaningful connection. This constant connection that lacks deep connection drives many of us to withdraw, retreat, and disengage.
We live in a world of constant, instant connection that can cause many of us to withdraw, retreat, and disengage.
“In both our personal and professional lives, it has become increasingly difficult to focus, be present, and sustain meaningful connection.”
In complete contrast to our hyper-connected world the natural world- forests, oceans, and mountains- allows us to slow down, breathe, and connect to our inner voice. Why does nature have this affect on us? I believe that the answer lies beneath the trees.
Forests provide a retreat from our hyper-connected world, and there is secret of connection hidden beneath our feet.
Sintra Forest, Portugal. Photo by Katrina Sanyal.
When we walk in a forest enjoying birdsong, the sun dappling through the trees, below our feet there is a whole hidden underground network of roots and fungi. This network connects all the nearby trees in the forest, and this is how they talk to each other. They exchange nutrients and nourish each other when some of them need extra support, and they can also send each other warning signals when there is danger. The more the trees are connected, the healthier the forest. The connections between the trees make them resilient. If I look at how trees communicate, and think about us humans I imagine that we are each trees. And the secret, underground network of roots and fungi? Those are the stories that connect us. The stories that nourish us, provide words of wisdom, reflection, and support.
“If I look at how trees communicate, and think about us humans I imagine that we are each trees. And the secret, underground network of roots and fungi? Those are the stories that connect us”
The more the trees are connected, the healthier the forest. Similarly, with our human network, the more we are disconnected, and are not telling, remembering, or sharing our stories, the more challenges we have in our human society. This can manifest in all sorts of ways! On a societal level, this can include political polarization. In our professional lives, this leads to toxic and unfulfilling workplaces. In our personal lives, this leads to mistrust and missed opportunities with those we love the most.
The more the trees are connected the healthier the forest- and we humans are no different! The more connected we are the happier and healthier our communities are.
Sintra Forest, Portugal. Photo by Katrina Sanyal.
In the forest, there are hub trees- also known as mother trees- who are the nodal points of this vast subterranean network. They hold immense stores of information, and make sure that the information the forest needs keeps on flowing. In our human world- these “mother trees”- are those who hold and share the stories. Our parents, leaders, teachers, and storytellers. When these mother trees are cut down in the forest, it leads to the loss of vital, important knowledge that hurts the health of the forest. We live in a world where it is so easy to just listen to ourselves, and it has become harder to listen to each other. It is harder to find the stories that heal us. It is harder to access the stories that shaped us.
“We live in a world where it is so easy to just listen to ourselves, and it has become harder to listen to each other. It is harder to find the stories that heal us”
To find the stories that heal, nourish and shape us, we must create space for us to strengthen our networks through sharing stories. What if our workplaces, our community centers, our homes all became spaces where everyone- young and old- told stories from their own lives, and also remembered the stories of those that came before us?
To find the stories that heal and connect us we must create spaces that allow us to listen, experience and tell stories.
Participants gather around a tree to share stories in Sariska, Rajasthan. Photo by Katrina Sanyal.
A forest, to be strong and healthy, must be diverse and varied. For humans, we are the same! The more we isolate ourselves in our communities and don’t connect with those who are different from us, the more prone we are to misunderstanding and mistrust.
“We are resilient. Our stories are our resilience. So, let’s come together, and nourish our roots. Let’s create spaces to tell, listen, share and remember our stories”
The more diverse, inclusive, and varied we make our communities, the stronger we become. While there are many forests that have been hurt and destroyed, the truth is that the forest, trees, and mother trees are resilient. They can rebuild their networks, and they can regain their lost information.
And us- we humans? We are the same. We are resilient. Our stories are our resilience. So, let’s come together, and nourish our roots. Let’s create spaces to tell, listen, share and remember our stories. Let’s exchange stories that nourish us, provide words of wisdom, reflection, and support. The more we share them with each other the stronger and more resilient we all become.
For the portions about how trees communicate with each other, I referred largely to the Ted Talk How Trees Talk to Each Other with Suzanne Simard.