Too soon the holiday season will be here. Even now we see stores bringing in the Thanksgiving turkeys and Christmas decorations. There is a seemingly endless list of things to do – gifts to buy, cleaning, yard work, cooking, dentist appointments, and bills to pay.
Too soon the clocks go back. Daylight fails as darkness takes hold of the world, calling us to huddle indoors under blankets. The heater roars to life as cold invades my bones. The chilling wind pushes leaf and cloud to cover the world.
Too soon it will be a new year. All of last year’s hopes in a box while I look forward to certain unknown. The age old question in my mind, what will the newness bring. Is this the year, or has it forever past?
Such are my thoughts on this day as the seasons turn and the leaves begin to fall.
Consider the leaf. In the spring a tree buds and green leaves sprout. Growing full as the leaf collects the sun, breathes the air, and turns all into food for the tree. Nourished the tree grows and the leaf moves higher, seeing further.
Consider the burden of the leaf. Moving on the wind, baking in the sun, constantly providing shade and food. Without the leaf the tree dies. Tree branches sag under the weight, while the leaf whispers to the wind.
Consider the wisdom of the leaf. As autumn days shorten the light of day, the leaf lets go of its secure home to drift on the breeze. Surrendering all cares and duties it floats to the ground, blanketing roots and soil and slowly allowing decay to carry its body away.
Do not morn the leaf or tree. The old leaf has a new job to nourish the soil and keep it moist – saving life giving water. The tree will sleep for a time and once renewed will bring life to new leaves that sing in the breeze.
Leaf and tree. Rhythm of the seasons. The dance of nature.
Embrace the changing rhythm of the world. Work, rest, breath, eat and find in each moment the reason for now.
Peace,
Andrew
Andrew's View of the Week 
Beautiful and inspiring post, it is exactly what we all need these days.
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Thank you, glad you liked it.
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Wow, that was beautiful.
(And also, I get the dental appointments out of the way over the holiday break too. It seems cruel, but then the kids have something to take their minds off it right away.)
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Thank you. I did my dental appointment last week, so that is done.
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I’m not a fan of daylight savings time. I feel out of sync most of the time during the warmer months. Tomorrow when I wake, the day will feel different, in its “right place” for me.
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I’ve always thought to be an odd thing to do.
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Lovely poem.
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Thank you
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Leaves are pretty special. Thanks for enlightening us Andrew.
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You welcome.
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This was lovely Andrew.
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thank you.
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Peace to you, Andrew.
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Peace
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All very true, Andrew. It’s hard to embrace the cold and the dark but I guess it makes spring sunshine even more precious. 🙂
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It does, life will return.
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I will never look at a leaf the same again. Ah, the mighty leaf…
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Leaves get overlooked too often.
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I’ve pondered trees many a time, but not their leaves—until now. Food for thought, Andrew. Thanks for the wake-up call to life this morning.
Ω
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The leaf is more interesting the closer you look.
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Great article from you , Mr Andrew. I loved how you beautifully elaborated all existence & non-living… I have always found ‘nature’ protagonist in healing my wounds & sorrow. Keep up this excellent work.
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The leaf is a often overlooked part of the world.
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Once again Andrew…..Thanks.🙏
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Happy you enjoyed this one.
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Just beautiful, Andrew
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Thank you.
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I think of falling leaves as the tears of summer.
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They could be.
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