The Circle of Life

I checked the calendar today.  There are now sixty one days until the first day of spring.  That means there are sixty one days until the signs of rebirth begin appearing.  New forest babies will be born.  Birds will return from their winter homes and begin the construction of nests to cradle their eggs.  Trees will begin pushing leaf buds from their branches.




When the snow begins to melt, I love putting on my boots to slog through the mud in search of those first green hints of spring.  The leaf buds bursting through their brown protective cases signal the beginning of life.  As they grow, they will create the nourishment for the tree that they are attached to.  They will continue producing the nourishing sap throughout their entire life.

In exchange for the food, the tree will draw and deliver water and nutrients from the soil.  This will go on through the spring and summer until the days become shorter and the change in daylight will signal the leaves to stop producing the sap.  The tree will seal the area where the leaf is attached; blocking the water and nutrients. This will force the leaves to begin changing color.  

The greens become vibrant yellows and reds that create a beautiful autumn canvas.  The opportunity to take in the beauty of nature's fall color can be short lived.  One gusty wind can tug at the leaves, forcing them to let go and shower down to the ground.


The colorful blanket will slowly turn brown and brittle.  It will create a crunch underfoot as hikers walk the trails.  The blanket will provide an insulated home to the ladybugs over winter.  The leaves will decay and return as nutrients to the soil for the next generation.  This will complete the circle of life.

We can take lessons from the young bud that opens to the sun and all the phases that it goes through in such a short period of time.  It provides nourishment for the tree and shelter for the birds.  It is challenged to hang on tightly as gusty winds and hail batter it on the branch.  As the sunlight diminishes in the fall, the leaf's energy is lost.  It tries to hang on as long as it can but the bond will eventually break and it will fall.  In death it still is able to provide shelter until it breaks down to rejuvenate the soil.

We are born and we grow.  We learn and we love.  We hang on when life challenges us and we try to find ways to overcome those challenges.  There are times when they are too great and they drain our energy, causing us to fall.  We too will have to complete the circle of life.  

We don't know when it will come full circle so live it to the fullest.  Don't waste your energy or time dwelling on things or people that you cannot change.  Concentrate on what you have control over.  Learn from mistakes and move on.  

Cherish the special people in your life.  The best gift you can give a loved one is time.  Share the gift of you.  

Enjoy the simple things; a walk in the rain or the smile of a child.  Make the time to just sit and take in the beauty around you.  Live your life now in this moment before the circle becomes complete.