There Is Beauty In Change
While on a walk the other day I couldn’t help but notice the beauty and brilliance of this single red leaf. I thought about what it represented to me in the days that followed and was surprised at the meaning I found in such a simple expression of change.
Thought #1: Oh NOOOOOOOO!
Summer is my very favorite season. It represents a relaxed vibe, lots of time outdoors and spending incredible quality time with family and friends at extended weekend visits to the lake. The awareness that this singular red leaf brought me is that change and transformation is happening – even if it may not feel like it.
You see, at the time this photo was taken, it was already over 80 degrees in late morning – and the thought that the glory days of summer would turn to the crisp air, over-scheduled, pumpkin-spiced latte, “Make it happen, the 4th quarter is here” days of fall were far from my mind. And yet, here was this singular red leaf reminding me that no matter how deeply we are entrenched in a season of our life – there is always a transition underway.
The red leaf triggered a pang of guilt and regret. What about all those plans and intentions I had for how I was going to spend my summer? You know, the bucket list of “wow” experiences I was going to have, and give, to my family – the reckoning of my vision in June with the reality in August was not easy to swallow. My emotional horse left the barn, and suddenly I was feeling sad and angry with myself for not being better – as if I had wasted precious time that I would never get back and could never recreate. “The summer is OVER FOR GOD SAKES…and WHAT did I do?” Seriously, it was a moment filled with all the feels – triggered by this little red leaf.
Then I decided to STOP the dramatics and actually LOOK for the lessons this little red leaf could teach me.
Lesson #1 – Get Real
Tony Robbins teaches us to see things for what they are, not worse (or better) than they are. Clearly I had missed the memo with my gallop down the path of “WTF is wrong with me”.
In the moment, I chose to see this beautiful red leaf as a symbol of loss, of missed opportunity, of something I love approaching its end, and I immediately allowed myself to time travel to the dead of winter- THAT is what caused my suffering. I completely SKIPPED OVER the fact that Fall brings so much beauty and joy and is alive with a beautiful energy of crisp transformation and elegant letting go. Once I brought my personal suck bus to a halt and allowed myself to see the things I love about fall, my energy shifted and I was once again in possibility and gratitude. And, who doesn’t love some good pumpkin-spice, apple-picking, county fair, sweatshirt wearing, crisp-air sleeping, don’t shave above the knee time…am I right? Yes, or yes.
Lesson #2 – Its ok to stand out
Like many of us, I have struggled for years with worrying about what others think. I remember moments in my life where standing out caused such shame. The grips of wanting approval were holding me back, like a hand holding the back of my shirt – I had a clear view of what I wanted in front of me, I just couldn’t actually get close enough to it to touch it (like when you take your kids into fancy store with the “you break it, you buy it” signs posted so we know to keep ‘em in check).
As I stared at this singular, beautiful, red leaf it occurred to me that standing out isn’t something to even consider. The red leaf isn’t TRYING to stand out, it didn’t care if I stopped to love it, appreciate it, notice it or like it. It didn’t care that it made me feel a certain way – it knew that whatever I felt because of its transformation was on me. This leaf was just doing what it does, on its own damn time, without looking around at the other leaves on the branches to decide if it is ok to transition into its next phase. It just DID what it DID – unapologetically itself. And THAT is what made it stand out. Good for the leaf, and good for us if we learn its lesson.
Lesson #3 – Be the Leader
In just a few weeks, the entire area will be filled with beautiful colors of red, yellow and orange – like if fruit-loops made trees, kind of color. It made me think about how this little red leaf is leading – it is signaling to the others through its willingness to “go first” without worry of acceptance that it is safe for them to go too – and suddenly, the landscape is breathtaking with the display of unique colors that each leaf brings. When there is a surrender to transformation, and there is an allowing of our “true colors” to show, that is the HEIGHT of the season – and people will travel from far and wide to witness its glory.
Lesson #4 – We are always in a state of Becoming
In her book “Fierce Conversations”, Susan Scott talks about the idea of “Gradually, then suddenly”. This leaf is the perfect example of that idea and a solid reminder of its absolute truth. Gradually and quietly we are moving away from summer and into fall ( as evidenced by one single red leaf on an 80 degree morning in August) You know where else this concept shows up? EVERYWHERE.
For this little tree, transformation is a result of photosynthesis. For us humans, the process of transformation is a result of our daily habits, actions and beliefs. It’s kind of like a slow IV drip of change – we don’t notice the single drops as they enter, but we are responding to each and every one and suddenly, here we are! If we don’t like the current condition we are in (Physically, Emotionally, Financially, in our Relationships), it’s time to check the bag and change the prescription to one that would be better for us.
I appreciate the lessons this little red leaf taught me – It challenges me to be brave, vulnerable and accepting of all that is, while mindful of what is happening gradually, so my “suddenly” moments are in my favor when possible. I hope the lessons inspire you to accept the challenge for your own life.
