I’ve enjoyed sitting under our backyard tree in the last few warm, sunlit autumn afternoons. It’s a remarkable tree whose christened name is Meredith. I love her and do my best to protect and keep her healthy. She’s truly impressive and has served us well by giving shade or sharing her medicinal qualities like the infused honey I make from her buds in the spring. Trees serve as guardians of the land, and I can vouch for feeling she is a towering guardian over our yard.

One particular afternoon, as I sat writing outside from my Adirondack chair, I felt I needed to pause and be still. As I did, I was flooded with information from Meredith and a vision of golden leaves. Scientists agree with those of us who have known spiritually that plants are sentient, so for me, feeling Meredith’s energy is unsurprising. On this particular day, her autumn leaves were now and then floating down around me. Some went directly to the ground, and some lingered on my body or the arm of my chair.

Meredeth’s message began: “Go placidly amongst the leaves. Hold onto me, and we will go together. Where you hurt is where we shall begin.” That is such a beautiful thought. It reminds me that we are never alone, even when we think we are.

Leaves represent second chances. Each leaf holds the history of its former being, and its DNA is encapsulated in its present life. Humans focus on tree roots and use them as a reminder to be grounded, but they forget about the leaves. [I am reminded at this point that what we do as individuals in the collective matters.] It is the leaves that teach us about letting go. They teach us what it is to fly without wings and dance without legs. Each leaf is a sum of its parts. A tree has limbs and roots, but leaves give it life in its beginning and ending. They give the tree a purpose for being. As buds, they unfurl out of their darkness and open outwards without fear. They cling to their nourishment until the day comes when this part of their journey is finished. Freedom is knowing when to hang on and when to let go.

Meredith’s lesson is to not hang on so tightly to life that we miss out on flying and dancing. Know that in letting go of what we think we know, we open ourselves to a world of possibilities that only, until then, exist in our imaginations. We cling to what we know and do everything to support what we know, never daring to let go and claim a new experience. The world lies at our feet and all around us. It only awaits our arousal, our rising. The wise understand that unexpected opportunities teach us more than planned engagements. Rather than perpetually choosing to stay in place and align with what we know, we must realize ourselves outside the claims made by family, experiences, and culture.