Lessons of Autumn

Change. It is possibly one of the hardest things to learn to accept And yet, life continues to push us on right through change whether we learn to accept it gracefully or go kicking and screaming into it.  I’ve paid a little more attention to our New England Autumn this year.  I spent as much time as I could find outside, surrounding myself with Mother Nature’s masterpiece of change.  I noticed a few things I may not have paid as close attention to before.  

Some trees were quick to change color, maybe prematurely, but they seemed eager to escape the green leaves of summer with enthusiasm for what comes next and trusting the process of change,  and I almost didn’t notice them  change.  The leaves on other trees, would be changing, while parts of the leaf remained green, almost unsure but allowing the beauty of autumn to change them none the less.  Other trees seemed to hold on defiantly to their green leaves,  maybe fearful of the unknown that is to come next and unwilling to allow the dropping temperatures and changing season to change them.  And other trees, changed and shed their leaves so quickly as if getting the change over with just for the sake of moving on.  

I also noticed something wonderful about how the trees let go of their leaves which will no longer serve them for the winter.  Many leaves fall gently away on beautiful sunny days, twirling and dancing softly to the ground, others hold on tight until a storm pushes them on more violently.  But the outcome is the same, the leaves fall to the ground and the change happens.  And in a very short while, all the trees will begin a process of rebirth, and be full again.

I have discovered focusing on one tree changing is beautiful but it is the collectiveness of all the trees changing in their own time, in their own way, in their uniqueness and difference that leaves us awe struck by the beauty and peacefulness of change.   

And finally, I see the trees now, naked, vulnerable, and still reaching to Heaven as if hopeful and eager for the beauty that will come next, embracing with grace and trust,  our ever changing world in spite of their vulnerability. It's almost as if they are discovering their strength in their vulnerability. 

It amazes me how something as simple as the trees can teach us to embrace and trust the changes in our world.  And at the same time to appreciate the beauty of our collectiveness and contentedness.  Our true beauty is all of us  being unique and different and one at the same time.

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