The Leaf's Journey

“Change is not about loss. Change is about growth.”

That statement was gifted to me recently, amidst the trees doing their beautiful fall thing, changing with vibrant grace.

The leaf worked so hard to emerge six months ago, a green sprout of life painted onto a colorless canvas that was emerging from winter’s grasp.

That same leaf worked day after day to absorb sunlight. It was proud carrier of chlorophyll that photosynthesized tirelessly to bring life to the tree.

Now, with mysterious cues from nature, it has begun their leaf journey to fall from the branch they have so bonded with. But not before a brilliant splash of yellow/orange/red graces their surface, a farewell parting gift to us all.

The leaf is put in a precarious position, is it not? Here it had purpose, life-sustaining reason for being. It had a community of leaves that it had become accustomed to seeing each day. It had a branch with whom a symbiotic bond was formed. Now, with the right wind at the right angle, it is at risk of falling into uncertainty. Doest the leaf shake with fear at the thought?

Change is not about loss. Change is about growth.

The leaf we see falling as we pass through its path is guiding and teaching us. It knows that it is time to fall from branch and tree, its community for the last months. The leaf knows that their self-identity as a photosynthesizer must evolve into now giving in a different way.

First, by allowing the right wind at the right angle to lift it gently by the stem so that it may journey toward Mother Earth.

It shouts with joy as it flutters and flips downward.

Through this humbling journey will it realize its growth into an element that can magically give life anew. As it finds a gentle resting spot upon the ground, it sighs and can finally relax after months of hard work.

It’s job is now is to rest and allow nature to decompose its energy into new life.

Humans call the leaf at this stage “fertilizer”.

The leaf smiles back.

It prefers to call this next phase “life reimagined”.