The Tree's Wisdom: Insights on Letting Go, Resilience, and Rest
During my late teens and early twenties, I began paying closer attention to nature—its cycles, its weather patterns—and found myself drawing invaluable lessons from these observations. As I grappled with my own mental health challenges, the metaphors I gleaned from nature started to profoundly influence the way I approached my struggles.
Fast forward to my late twenties, and I’ve found myself on a 6-acre farm in the lush rainforest ecosystem of the Byron Shire, where I have the privilege of observing a particular tree from my balcony each morning. This tree has gradually imparted invaluable lessons on letting go, self-care, resilience and rest, which I trust can offer you a new perspective or serve as a gentle reminder of lessons you may have already encountered yourself.
Here are the three lessons I’ve learned…
Lesson 1: The Art of Letting Go
As I first encountered this tree, its branches were adorned with beautiful, pale green leaves. However, as we approached the heart of winter, these leaves began to fall, one by one, until the tree stood bare, its discarded leaves covering the ground below. Much like the tree sheds its leaves, I was reminded of the necessity of letting go (releasing old habits, patterns, or unnecessary attachments). Just as the tree eventually blossoms with new shoots in the spring, letting go also gives us the opportunity for new growth and rejuvenation.
“Nature is constantly showing us how to live with courage. Fall comes every year and encourages the trees to loosen their grip. To allow what once was so full of life, to fall away, leaf by leaf. For a moment, it feels like nothing will grow again. The branches are left bare without the comfort of what once was. But in the morn of spring, new shoots begin to appear and something new is born that is even more glorious than before.”
- Rebecca Campbell, Work Your Light Oracle Cards
The tree's seasonal transformation serves as a gentle reminder that it is safe to let go, as new shoots will eventually grow back.
Lesson 2: Self-Nurturing and Resilience
As the fallen leaves naturally break down, they release vital nutrients, enriching the surrounding soil for the tree's roots. Just as the tree thrives by nourishing its own soil, I was reminded of the significance of tending to our own well-being.
The things we let go of, can also serve as nourishment for our own personal growth and strength. Letting go is not just about freeing ourselves but also about using our experiences to nourish our own growth and resiliency for a thriving life.
Tending to our own “soil” not only empowers us to prioritise our own well-being but also enables us to provide effective support and care for our community.
Lesson 3: The Value of Rest and Rejuvenation
While the tree released its leaves, it wasn’t really serving a large purpose for the wildlife or insects that lived in the area, as it was recuperating and preparing for bloom in Spring. However, come mid-Spring, it is fully bloomed, a Tawny Frogmouth could hide in it’s branches all day long and it’s feeding 100’s of bees daily. So you can imagine the impact it would have if it didn’t release its leaves and started to get sick, it wouldn’t be able to provide for the ecosystem living amongst it.
Similarly, I realised the significance of rest and rejuvenation - looking after yourself and tending to your own inner soil before you can provide for others. AND you don’t have to be in full bloom, and show up at 100% every day of the year. It’s ok to rest and tend to yourself, because it actually makes you stronger for the people around you when they need you.
Reflecting on these profound lessons from the tree's lifecycle, I invite you to pause and consider the wisdom that nature graciously offers. These insights from seemingly ordinary occurrences can deeply enrich our lives and instil a greater sense of connection with the world around us when we take a moment to stop and think about it.