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
