The Leaves of the Year

It be that time of the year that leaves appear and thoughts start arising in the mind.

How committed are leaves to trees? They hang on trees for a huge part of the year only to be let go of. Do trees have commitment issues? Or do they know that the leaves could be more useful elsewhere?

Leaves are cool, they help cool things down, they also filter light in a special way. They are committed to doing a service to others whilst working hard with the organism that gives them life.

As a human, I often ask myself what I‘m committed to. And moving into my natural cycle of questioning until the question no longer makes sense, or resembles the initial thought. What is commitment? Is it being consistent? Is it dedication? If I’m committed to someone, what does that mean? What does this have to do with leaves?

Dedicating time, money, effort consistently into something or someone. That could be commitment. Leaves dedicate their lifespan to a tree. Eventually being let go of and becoming important to other aspects of nature. The connection between tree and leaf weakens over time, but in the bigger picture, this letting go is beneficial for all.

Spring is in full swing and the leaves are doing their thing. Their short-term commitment is inspiring. They give their all for the life of the tree. A small cog in a big system. Nutrients to the tree and then to the surroundings they fall to. How can I apply this to the things I’m committed to?

Providing nutrients to my cause and those surrounding it. The cycle of growth to supply vitality to my main cause, then detaching to provide nutrients to those surrounding causes. I bring important ingredients to my tree. The tree eventually separates itself from me so I can provide the soil with much-needed nutrients.

If I’m a leaf to the world around me, what things am I committed to providing my community? Am I providing people who read my stuff with the nutrients they need to grow?

Thoughts to be thinked, answers to be answered. As spring is in full swing, I will continue to watch leaves in admiration and figure out what all this can mean.

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