Nature starts with the seed, placed in the ground, it strives through the soil to break free. Tender and vulnerable it courageously reaches for the sky and spreads it’s first shoots. After a time, through persistence and effort, it grows to a mature state and is now ready to start the cycle of abundance.
It surrenders its leaves and looks to all the world as a bare tree , possibly dying . Yet it has dropped the leaves because it is going through transformation, and soon bright new buds appear on its branches, and with the first rays of the summer sun, they open up as delicate and beautiful blossom that fill the sky with color and sprinkle the earth with rainbows.
Next it surrenders its blossom and comes in to full flower, each shape and form more exotic in its perfume than the other . Gladly allowing its beauty to be cut and shared, filling the our homes with its heavenly scents.
Then comes the birthing phase when the tree produces fruits of all shapes and sizes , so abundant in its offering that it literally drops them to the earth in its effulgence of bounty , with no attachment to it being eaten, acknowledged or having it fall back to enrich its own roots.
After this the tree sprouts into an expansive leafing stage , offering shade to all from the rays of the sun, as its limbs extend across the ground in glorious shadows of cool.
Then once rested, those of us who lie in its presence are provided with the comfort of its leaves, as Fall comes to sweep away its summer magnificence, and creates a bed of warmth for the creatures to burrow in to.
Finally in Winters quiet short days, it retreats within. Peacefully reflecting on the years creation and waits in anticipation of springs first whisper, when the cycle of abundance begins a new!
As you follow the story of the tree, you can see that after the initial effort to establish itself, the tree surrenders to the cycle of Abundance , and effortlessly moves through each stage with acceptance, surrender and trust. No matter how glorious its creation , it allows it to fall and gifts it to the world, knowing space must be made for the next transformation to actualize.
First , there is the gift of Beauty, seen in the blossom. Second, the gift of Fragrance, we smell in the flowers. Third, the gift of Sustenance, in the fruit. Fourth, the gift of Shelter, to be found in its shadow. Fifth, the Comfort to be found in its leaves and finally the gift of self, as we are left to face the world exposed, yet encouraged by its example of giving and assured of the abundance of surrender.
The only thing keeping you from receiving is your attachment to what you have , no matter how prized, let it go by gifting to the world, and watch yourself effortlessly transform in continuing cycles of beauty!
