What makes me happy? Interesting question posed this week by an acquaintance. I find I get the greatest pleasure out of simple things these days. One of them is mucking around in my garden and where I was when I noticed how stunning these leaves were.
I love nature because it can show us what we don’t always recognise in ourselves if we care to take the time to look.
These leaves are dying, but their colours are so strong. I smiled because they’re not giving in without a fight; they are defiant and in being so they are more lovely than ever; turning from green to vibrant red and black. It reminded me of many people I know. People who are fighting to get their lives back together after losing their partners. And it similarly applies to many who are facing other challenges in their lives.
I was talking with a woman last week. Her husband died 18-months ago, and she’s lost, lonely and afraid. The struggle to keep going can overwhelm many people. This poor woman said she didn’t think she could keep going. But I reminded her she has survived these past 18 months, and that is an achievement. She should be proud of that. For the first time she recognised that in herself and she understood she can keep going.
The way many people fight to survive a loss, the determination they show and their dignity is inspiring. But, we don’t see it or appreciate it in ourselves. But as with the leaf, others see it and it motivates them to keep going.
These stunning leaves will turn black, wither and die but in their place will emerge a new leaf. That could be our story of our struggles in the challenges we face to let go of the life we were familiar with, our life as a couple. Then to discover and embrace a new life, a life as just us.
I shared my leaf story with my help group. I received many acknowledgements but these two in particular meant so much.
“Thank you. I needed a reminder of what is real life not the fake. God shows us in every aspects of life how deep true beauty is in small things He had created. Thanks again.”
“You made us all look again with in ourselves.”
I thank those stunning leaves for making me think and in doing so to help others do the same.
Debasish Mridha summed it up most eloquently with this quote, "Make nature your best teacher. With great love, learn from her the lessons of life."
Debasish Mridha summed it up most eloquently with this quote, "Make nature your best teacher. With great love, learn from her the lessons of life."
