The Daily Boost #469

Lessons from the leaves

Photo by Chinnu Indrakumar on Unsplash

Muse on these reflections by Paul Cotter (condensed from his original post):

1. Leaves feel stress, just like we do. The technical term for this phenomenon is “leaf scorch.” It occurs when leaves are traumatized by lack of water, overexposure to hot sun, or other harsh conditions. Everyone and everything around us—yes, even a leaf on a tree—suffers in some way and deserves compassion.

2. Leaves are flexible and resilient. Although leaves are relatively fragile and are easily bent or torn, their flexibility helps them endure. When strong winds whip the tree, leaves hang on by going with the flow. They will actually adjust their configurations to reduce surface exposure and minimize potential damage. What if we could respond to challenges so fluidly and flexibly?

3. Leaves know what’s good for them. They require energy from sunlight in order to produce food. So they orient themselves toward sunlight. Might we bend more toward the light—things that nourish us?

4. Leaves are constantly changing. The green color we observe in leaves during spring and summer is caused by chlorophyll. When fall arrives, the chlorophyll breaks down and other color-creating pigments—which have been there along—reveal themselves. All of the raw material we need for positive growth and change is, and always has been, within us. Can we bring these qualities to the forefront?

Read even more lessons from leaves in Paul’s post: They know how to work together, are humble, and know when to let go.

(My thanks to Paul Cotter, via Grateful.org.)

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