Ellen Dee Davidson, Author, Teacher, Presenter, Forest Bathing Guide on Influential Women

Influential Woman · Author

Ellen Dee Davidson

Teaching

Author, Teacher, Presenter, Forest Bathing Guide, Self-employed writer/author

Bayside, CA

1Article published
1Award received

Certifications · Degrees · Memberships

Degree BA Cert Teaching Member TreeSisters, Awakening Women, Earth Treasure Vase Global Healing Project, Archangel Ancient Tree Archive

In Conversation

Ellen Dee Davidson for Bold. Brilliant. Unstoppable.

Read the transcript Interview

Ellen Dee Davidson: What does it, what does being an influential woman mean to you? Hmm. I think we're all influential women. We all influence other people. And so it's more a question of sphere of influence. And even then, sphere does not determine potency, for example. A loving mother might have a small sphere of influence, but with that child it's so profound, and the way that ripples out into the greater world could have a huge impact. And then there's the sphere of influence where we become more visible in the wider world to a larger population. And I think. That often organically happens when we stay true to our authentic nature. And allow our genuine gifts to arise up from our core hearts. And then There's a way they can ripple out and our influence expands, and that way is so organic. There's not a lot of pressure to it. There's not that exhausting burnout, outward striving where we're always trying to get somewhere else because we never are. It's such an outgrowth from the center. That what happens is. The whole process is full of that vital life force energy, the juice. And so We're in joy, refreshed as we go, and that's what we're rippling out into the world as well, because our gifts are never just our gifts, they come with a spirit, a frequency, a vibration, an energy. I mean, call it what you will, but What we're putting out is multidimensional. It's our energy, it's our spirits, our souls, our creative hearts, our loving, empathetic, compassionate hearts, our insightful minds, and they're full of ideas and visions too. And um the more embodied we get, The more relevant because then we're in our point of power because our bodies pick up trillions of bits of information compared to anything that makes it to our conscious awareness. So when we're operating from that intelligence, then our influence is in harmony with all of nature.

What's one piece of advice you would give to younger women chasing their dreams?

Ellen Dee Davidson: The piece of advice that I would give to younger women chasing their dreams is to know what your deepest, most heartfelt dreams are. There's so many distractions, and there's so many reasons to go this way and that way. And a lot of young women are so good at so many things. There's a lot of different options that can be pursued. So it's important. If Women are not going to be buffeted about from external forces. Um, any more than is inevitable. Sometimes it's inevitable, but. If that's to be avoided. Then that solid core of inner knowing. Who are you? Why are you here? What makes you feel relaxed, contented, centered, grounded, and in purpose? The answers to those questions are going to be different for each person. And A way to get to know your true hearts, wishes and dreams better. Is to spend some time alone, quiet. I highly recommend in nature, if you're lucky enough to have access. Or at least with a beloved pet or a plant, but not talking just Allowing yourself to be and really let go of the false dreams, witness them, let them go by and find what may have been gleaned if those paths have been pursued. But yeah, I guess that's my advice. I just dig deeper into your own heart and soul.

Full transcript available

Her Story

About Ellen

Living in the redwoods of Northern California, Ellen has fallen in love with the ancient trees. She has personally experienced the healing available from forest bathing, a term first coined by the Japanese, who call it "Shinrin-yoku". They have studied the health benefits which include lowered blood pressure, cholesterol, and stress hormones. Increased immune system including T cells as well as improved moods and well-being. Forest Bathing even speeds wound healing and helps kids with ADHD. What Ellen didn't expect was how much spending time listening to the old trees opened her up creatively, perceptually, and altered her consciousness. Now she is sharing these benefits in her books.

Her Interview

Ten minutes with Ellen

01What do you attribute your success to?

Like most authors, I received many rejections along the way. At times, I tried to quit, but a new story would bubble up, wanting to be told. And in a hypnotherapy meditation, I was told I was to speak for the trees. Eventually, perseverance paid off and a number of my books have made it into the hands of readers.

02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?

Follow your heart.

03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?

Writing is both an art and a craft. There are many disparate parts: voice, dialogue, setting, theme, plot, use of language. All of them require skill. Be patient while learning the craft. It is worth it. Writing is one of the most intimate arts; we can talk inside people's heads, sharing our ideas. Reading allows people to know others in a way that can increase empathy. Be clear with yourself. Are you writing for expression, to share, or to make a lot of money? If it is money, then check out the market and find a niche that sells. That hasn't been my path with my odd duck books and flitting from picture books, fiction and nonfiction, to middle-grade and young adult fantasy, to an adult eco-memoir-wilderness adventure. So far, it is paying more in expression than dollars.

04What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?

Publishing is in huge flux with AI, people reading less and watching more podcasts, movies, and TV. Millions of books are published every year. The competition is stiff. And, yet, some people make a fortune, see their books become movies, and are wildly successful. I call it the "Writer's Lottery". We never know what will happen with our creative ideas.


One big decision is to self-publish versus submit to agents or the few publishers that continue to accept unsolicited manuscripts. I've noticed that traditional publishers offer more editing, marketing, and legal support. On the other hand, self-publishing allows authors to keep their rights and the book won't be taken out of print.

05What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?

One of my biggest values is preserving and planting forests as well as restoring nature in general. I think everyone should have access to beautiful wild places and that it is crucial to our mental, physical, emotional and spiritual well-being. As we restore nature, we will be restoring ourselves.

Her Content Hub

Articles by Ellen

A heartfelt reflection on discovering one's soul purpose through nature and forest bathing. The author shares her journey of becoming an accidental influential voice for environmental restoration and the transformative power of listening to inner guidance.

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