Nature...the ultimate teacher

How beautifully leaves grow old.  How full of light and color are their last days. -John Burroughs

Fall is (almost) here.  It may still be quite warm here in Southern California, but there is a crispness in the air, a slight chill at night, a feeling of change.  I love the quote above.  Even as the things of nature that grow from the earth are dwindling down and taking their last breath, there is no sadness or regret. Only beauty.  Nature is constantly showing us the way.  Fall is showing us that change, moving on and even death is a beautiful part of living.

Still quite green around these parts

 At least the pine cones got the memo about fall.

The cold and stillness of winter has a beauty of it's own.  The plants appear dead and lifeless, but in reality, life carries on.  While the earth is resting in peace it's preparing for new life.  Spring is rebirth, new possibilities, growing and starting fresh.  All things have potential, a greatness yet to be seen.  And summer...what is summer but a time to relish things at their greatest?  Nature is alive, thriving, doing what is does best.

Doing what kids do best.

If we are smart, we follow nature's lead in our own lives.  Not pushing against time or change, but going gracefully along with it.  And it's not as easy for us as it is for, say, trees or even animals.  There are things in life that are difficult and painful.  Often times it's those things that are the most important.  Bringing a life into the world, a broken heart, parenting, achieving a goal, the life lessons of adolescence, sickness, disease, losing our loved ones, and dying.  All crazy difficult, sometimes physically and emotionally painful, but all important.  If those things were easy would we truly appreciate their significance?

Little brother picks a fight

Big brother finishes it

I know it is different for everyone, but I see a higher power in nature.  It is sometimes the only time I see one.  The teachings of religion can get muddled by the teacher.  Sometimes churches have agendas that are different from our own.  Other people, even truly great people, are still just people.  They let us down.  The bible has revealed a lot to me, but is often confusing and contradictory.  There is no confusion in a sunset, the waves of the ocean,  the natural connection you feel with your offspring.  And while many will say that those thing are just nature and only nature, I think it's God too.  They way our very lives mirror the seasons of our planet, the way nature is constantly teaching us, inspiring us, even frightening us and reminding us how small we are...it's not a coincidence.

So while it's hot and slightly miserable outside, we're choosing to go with it.  Fall will show up when it's good and ready.

Have a beautiful day.