Birds love trees, live in trees and have a really special way of communicating, just like trees have a unique way of communicating. 

Did you know that the four “calling birds” in the Twelve Days of Christmas are actually COLLY birds? So what’s a colly bird? It actually refers to any bird that is black, as the word “colly” literally means "black as coal,” according to Mr. Google. 

Regardless, birds and trees belong together. That's why Standing People (a term used by some Indigenous people to describe their relationship with trees and plants) pairs so well with those calling birds. Standing people communicate with one another and with us, as do birds. Crows and ravens, in particular, are socially interactive winged ones, and smart! 

At this time of year, we make more of an effort to communicate with one another, and I suspect this year many of us are finding it more challenging than usual. 

Perhaps a walk in a forest of standing people will help us to feel more in tune with ourselves and connected with nature. Perhaps we will see and hear the winged ones calling to one another, like the voices of the trees singing and dancing in unison as they sway in the breeze. 

I think most of us can relate to the soothing sights and sounds of nature. So during this holiday season, why not get out and spend some time with those calling birds and whispering trees, as they have much to share with us. 

And if it’s too cold outside, take a virtual walk in the forest with me in the Standing Trees music video, or check out this song video featuring the voice of Chris Burke-Gaffney, a friend, a Juno award-winner and producer of my new album, Aurora 12.

(This is the fourth of a daily 12-part blog series offering positive and inclusive messages throughout the festive season, along with songs from Sandra's newly released Christmas album, Aurora 12. Catch up on previous posts by visiting Sandra's blog.)