When we sit back and think about life, how can we understand it?
I like to sit and look at nature, but not just look at it, I like to observe in detail how it operates. Through this observation, I have personally found and concluded that, to understand life, we must sit and observe nature.
Nature speaks to us, but we can only hear it when we are still in its presence, observing it. You might say but nature is all around us, are we not always in its presence?
And you are right, we are, but how often do we turn off the distractions of the world, and sit quietly observing nature at work.
We are like trees
One of my favorite aspects of nature to observe is trees. Trees are so crucial to our environment, our lives, our world. Not only are they vital ecologically, but also economically.
On the ecological side they serve as oxygen producers, carbon dioxide absorbers, soil and water conservers as well as wildlife habitats and even human habitats. On the economic side, trees provide us with timber, paper, other wood products and fruits to sell or turn into other products for sale.
But apart from all of its benefits and uses, let’s take a deeper look at the tree itself. Let’s understand its different seasons and how it can directly relate to our life and its seasons.
Dormancy season of a tree’s life
Some trees, just like us, go through different stages and seasons in life. All of which serve an important purpose for the tree’s overall health, and its abilities to produce.
We will look at the dormancy season to begin this series and I want you to think about it carefully and see how it relates to your own life.
During dormancy period, which tends to be in winter season, where conditions are unfavorable (temperature drops and reduced sunlight), the tree is not actively, or I should say visually growing.
It’s in a phase where its conserving energy and preparing itself for the next upcoming season of growth. It goes through a few physiological changes during this period and also sheds its leaves during this time to conserve water and nutrients.
All of these changes play a part in helping the tree prepare for the next growing season and ensure its survival during the season of unfavorable external conditions.
Though this dormancy phase may seem boring and as if nothing is happening, it is essential for the tree’s overall health and survival. It allows the tree to rest, recharge and prepare for what is to come.
Dormancy season in our lives
How does this dormancy phase relate to life? Have you ever gone through a period(s) in your life where nothing was happening on the outside? You ever felt stagnant? Did the conditions of life become unfavorable? Were you in a dark place? Did you lose/shed some things during this phase?
I think we can all agree that we all go through a ‘dormancy’ phase in life.
But looking back at the last dormancy phase you had, did it help prepare you mentally, emotionally, spiritually, etc., for a season of growth and abundance? Was it necessary for you?
Sometimes we tend to isolate periods in life rather than zoom out and look at how it played a role for the next season or even overall seasons. Remember life is a big picture being painted piece by piece as we live it each day.
Perhaps these dormancy periods in life are there for a reason and are meant to be there. Of course, we hate them, because who wants to go through a time when you may feel lost, stuck, depressed, confused, life keeps throwing curveballs/ the conditions are unfavorable, it gets dark, and nothing is happening.
But something is happening, it’s just below the surface, think of the tree. Think of this season as a time for you to rest, recharge, conserve energy, survive the challenges of life and be in preparation for your next season of growth and abundance.
What would life be like if it was always a constant growth upwards? Wouldn’t we be tired, lack crucial lessons only losses can teach, how would we survive the challenges, how would we be able to handle each next step?
Dormancy is necessary.
Embrace dormancy, allow it to do its work in you and for you. Don’t focus on the perceived negatives, don’t stare at all that’s not happening for you. Worst yet, don’t look at people who are in different seasons and compare your dormancy phase to their growth season.
Your season of development and growth will come. You will grow fruits of success, you will produce good things, you will experience happiness, peace, joy and much more.
But you must understand that no season last forever, the good ones nor the hard ones. But you know what they do? They all rely on each other overall. The growth that’s coming needs the dormancy season to happen before it.
Rest, recharge, conserve your energy and be prepared.