Walking on a path through open space today, I spotted a bright yellow cluster of leaves amid a forest of deep green. I wondered, “Why those particular leaves first?” Out of all the trees lining the path and all the green still on this one tree, these few leaves volunteered to be the first to stop producing chlorophyll in preparation for Fall. In its innate wisdom, this tree knew that it was time to start shutting down, and in their innate wisdom, these leaves knew they were best place to start. They were in complete sync with the needs of the entire organism and surrendered to the transition.
What would happen if these leaves feared being the first to brown and die, so they refused to change? What would happen if these leaves believed that going first meant they were the best and decided to start changing too early, throwing off the equilibrium of the tree and threatening its health? We know what would happen because our human egos make decisions from these types of emotions and reasoning. This kind of decision making is what damages relationships, creates inequities in community resources and causes massive turmoil throughout the planetary environment.
What would happen if we could surrender fully to the flow of life, free of judgment or fear? Connect with the peace and freedom of honoring that flow. We talk about honoring each season for its natural rhythm, but we can also honor the transition of the seasons, allowing ourselves to be in sync with the temporary imbalances of seasonal change.
This month, I invite you to celebrate the transition of one season to another. There is value in the transition itself. Before you jump from the essence of summer into the energy of autumn, enjoy the uncertainty and variety in this time of change. What is this season of change teaching you? In nature, this time of year is marked by some days starting with a sharp crisp in the air while others reflect the diminishing warm days of summer. Sometimes the bustling energy of the coming harvest is called for and other times bring us back to the lazy relaxation of hot summer. Look for parallel shifts in your own life and focus on being in sync with them.
Celebrate the unique rhythm and essence of transition itself. Feel the total, absolute peace of surrender to the process of change. The nature of the universe is constant motion, and you are the essence of the universe. You are movement itself. Relish the experience. Enjoy the ride.
image courtesy of Anita Smith on Pixabay