Autumn Leaves

When it’s spring in the northern climates we look anxiously to see all the little buds on the trees. We wait in anticipation for these tiny buds to come and bring forth new and wondrous life. As the season transitions to summer, these leaves grow into big, lush beautiful leaves to protect us from the heat and sun. Then comes autumn when the leaves start to wither and die, even though many of us don’t see it this way. We all know the leaves are dying, but something else stands out instead — the beautiful vibrant colors that splash the blue sky with bursts of oranges, yellows, and reds. Many of us even travel several hours away to see the best colors of autumn. 

What really turns leaves into different colors? The first part of the equation is the type of tree. There are the gorgeous maples with a blend of yellows, oranges, and reds. For hues of greens and yellows the poplar trees stand out. Of course, if you like nice shades of drab brown look no further than to the oak trees. Even though they are called the ‘mighty oak’ and fit that description in many ways, beautiful leaves in autumn is not one of them. At least where I come from, one never goes looking in an oak forest to see beautiful autumn colors. The other part of the equation is the environmental factor. I’ve heard cool nights and warm days make the best vibrant, colorful leaves. Are you ready to pack up and start looking for spectacular autumn colors yet? I hope so! 

Before you start packing thermoses and your favorite roadtrip snacks, I want you to think about something — everything I wrote above relates to humans as well as leaves. Those little, tiny buds most of us so anxiously wait for in the spring are like the birth of new babies. These babies grow into teens and then mature into adults just like the full-grown, shade-giving leaves. Then, as we get older and we aren’t able to do the all things we once were able to do, we start heading into our ‘autumn’ of life. Always remember there’s nothing wrong with that because we can still make a difference in life. As Mark Twain said, “Do not complain about growing old. It is a privilege denied to many.” 

When you interact with elderly people, it’s very noticeable each person fits into one of two groups:

• Friendly, warm, with many smiles
• Grumpy, miserable, with many complaints

If you were to become one of these two right now, which would you choose? My guess, you would pick the first. 

I compare these types of people to the autumn leaves. The bright, beautiful leaves that people enjoy are like the warm and friendly people. The oak leaves are like the curmudgeons and grumpy people.

Do you know the most exciting part of this? We’re humans! We can choose to be the beautiful maples leaves or we can choose to be the drab oak leaves! When you’re born, it’s not decided how happy or miserable you will be. You have a choice, no matter what your life is like. We aren’t dependent on cold nights and warm days to become beautiful masterpieces. We have hardships and blessings that happen to us, but we don’t have to let those hardships change our dispositions. Sure, there are times when we feel like a ‘kick me’ sign is on our back and everyone has taken full advantage of it, but will you choose to stay there? You don’t have to! We can choose how we are going to act and what we make of our lives. If you want to learn more, check out my blog, “The Story of a Little Nut.” 

It’s possible to rise above our circumstances, as Charles R. Swindoll said, “I am convinced that life is 10% what happens to [us] and 90% how [we] react to it.” We can choose to let the hardships shape us and turn us into hard, bitter souls. Or, we can choose to keep on smiling and giving love to the people who need it — which of course is everyone. I have met many people that have had hardships beyond measure. Yet, they still have a light from inside that cannot be snuffed out. They are those the beautiful leaves. 

When trials and hardships come into your life either now or in the future, give yourself some time to deal with it. Then always remember the autumn leaves and choose the way you want to look.

Keeping the perspective,
Lauren

Even though the song title is about the only thing this song has in common with the above blog, I can never pass up an opportunity to share good music from the 40s/50s — Bing Crosby’s, “Autumn Leaves.”