Lessons from nature

It’s autumn in the UK and the leaves are tumbling from the trees creating brightly coloured carpets on the ground below. Have you ever wondered why that happens? I hadn’t until now. I was amazed to find there are a whole series of reasons. Ultimately it is a story of survival, from which there is much we can learn.

Why do the leaves fall?

Photosynthesis, the process by which a tree converts sunshine into energy, is apparently more efficient with green leaves. Chlorophyl is the chemical which turns the leaves green. During the summer, production of chlorophyl is at its height, maximising energy production, some of which is stored for the winter months ahead.

The change in weather presents challenges. It is necessary to adapt to the conditions in order to survive. Moisture and energy must be conserved, and protection is needed against the stormy weather. By shedding their leaves the trees can hold on to moisture in their trunks, save energy, and are less likely to be damaged by the wind if it can blow through the empty branches.

As the temperatures start to dip, so too do the levels of chlorophyl. This allows other chemicals such as carotene and anthocyanin which are already present, to come to the fore, turning the leaves yellow and red respectively.

Leaves are connected to the branches via a layer of cells known as the abscission layer. Come autumn, the levels of auxin reduce, causing the weakening of this link. Eventually the leaf is separated and blown away by the wind.

What can we learn?

As the trees slowly do their thing, we humans hurtle along, grappling with the pressures of daily life, often disconnected not only from the beauty of the nature around us, but also from what it could teach us. There are so many lessons we could learn:

1. Embracing change 

For many, change is the scariest thing. We are wired to fear the unknown and so we continue to resist against it. It can feel easier to endure even the most uncomfortable situation, rather than take action to do things differently. The trees meanwhile take it all in their stride, trusting in the process and knowing all will be well.

Lesson: there is no progress without change.

2. Letting go 

Humans usually hold on for much longer than they should. Trees on the other hand know when to let go. Indeed, as detailed above, if they were not to shed their leaves, their very survival would be at risk. Although our lives might not be exactly in danger, there are still grave consequences of holding on to that which does not serve us well.

Letting go is not the end but rather the beginning. It can be cathartic. In the short term it may leave us feeling exposed and somewhat vulnerable, but it creates the space for something new to blossom.

Lesson: Letting go is the first step towards renewal.

3. The natural cycle

Autumn is a time of transition. Seasons come and go. Some of them are more uncomfortable than others but there is a certainty that the discomfort will not last forever. Something different always lies ahead.

So it is with the rich pattern of life. We are currently experiencing an incredibly turbulent time on many levels. I know of very few people who are not facing challenges of one sort or another, some of them quite monumental. Nature shows us that it is part of a cycle, and offers hope for better times ahead.

Lesson: in the words of a unknown Persian poet, and made famous by Abraham Lincoln in the nineteenth century:

This too shall pass

 

4. Tuning in to our body’s needs

Trees know exactly what is required in order to survive and that process goes ahead regardless. Our bodies also give us clear signals as to what they need, but often we either do not hear them, or we choose to turn a blind eye. Whether it be with reference to the food we eat, the activity we do (or not!). or the way we choose to spend our time, there is a wealth of information constantly being imparted.

Busy lives and overloaded minds cause us to lose contact with ourselves and what would really make a difference to our wellbeing and quality of  life.

Lesson: if we were to tune in and truly listen, our bodies would give us all the answers we need.

In conclusion, the next time you are out walking, take a moment to appreciate not just the beautiful autumn colours, but the remarkable process that is happening to create them. Slow down, take a breath, and draw inspiration from the wisdom of the trees.