Have you hugged a tree today?

Seriously, have you? You should.

Oh sure, you’ll feel like a weirdo, and if you do it in a public place you’ll undoubtedly get some funny looks (although that’s part of the fun sometimes). My college roommate, who to this day (many, many days since we lived together) remains my best friend, taught me that you must hug a tree on Earth Day (it didn’t hurt that we were attending the University of Wisconsin, the school from which Gaylord Nelson, the founder of Earth Day, graduated from law school 50 years earlier). I’ve hugged a tree every year on Earth Day (and sometimes not on Earth Day) every year since.

I guarantee you will feel good about it, and once you’ve hugged a tree you’ll never forget it.