Gratitude Practice 2021 Nov 1: Standing Ovation for Autumn Leave

Ladies and gentlemen...let's put our hands together for the most spectacular fall in recent memory. Not sure if it's because this last summer was a steady stream of ragey angry fires followed by toxic sweltering air with a side order of blistering punishing heat or if the universe itself is just too damn exhausted to keep trying us with extreme weather. Either way, I am all kinds of grateful for the beauty and respite of this seasonal change. How do the cool kids say it these days?...something like....these colorful little leaves are 'coming in clutch.'

I am inspired daily by tree leaves as they embrace their purpose, confidently play their individualized part and calmly understand when it's naturally time to transition onward. I've studied the leaves in our community all summer long as I am learning how to take a determined and reflective pause, take time to carefully consider my place and purpose, and take radical responsibility for how I show up and engage. These brave little leaves are teaching me as they protected and provided all summer long offering relief, security and shade to all who needed it. Now, naturally as their intended purpose is ending it's time for the big glorious finish. Seems both right and needed. It's the bright yellow leaves that really get me...they are just more golden and electric and alive and vibrant this year despite this summer's strain and stretch. The rusty red leafs seem to seep and drip with crimson conviction and confidence born from a roasting summer of tribulation. The burnt auburn orange leaves certainly came to play this year and while they may seem a bit rowdy, perhaps outspoken and even punk-ish at times they forever remain steadfast, dedicated well intended team players providing just as much sincere life giving goodness as their more subtle and reserved tan and brown counterparts. And mega mad props to the holdout green leaves still hanging on...still showing up…"leafing" as they always intended and making good on their commitments to the bitter end. The steady green leaves of early November may be the real heros...like the older wiser, more practiced, more balanced big sisters who just seems to do it without as much struggle. Talk about aspirational. These long suffering green leaders are the epitome of steady contentment and are in zero rush to move any faster or sooner than needed. They understand their role in the larger plan, patiently wait their turn within the natural change process and as such they are fulfilling their intended role. They know their value, they understand the importance of measured timing and as such they effortlessly communicate their capacity and contentment and contribution purposefully knowing that their time will come. The remaining green leaves don't have anywhere more important to go and they will respectfully head out when they are good and ready, thank you very much.

These little Chlorophyll filled teachers are certainly beautiful this year and are inspiring to me to embrace the natural process of both holding fast and letting go. I am grateful for a season of targeted learning that has been a wash of both color and clarity as spectacular as this year's crop of ever changing autumn leaves.