What do falling leaves mean to you?
I haven’t been blogging as faithfully as I had hoped this fall and this is for a good reason! Our weather has been so amazing that any spare time I have, I am out riding my bike while preparing for Ironman Penticton. In the past I have been saddened when the fall comes because the shorter amount of daylight, the cooler temperatures, and the increase in precipitation (I don’t actually want to say it – RAIN) signals the inevitability of winter. However, I have come to accept that winter has its place as a time for reading, reflection, goal setting, connecting with the family over board games and puzzles, snuggling up and watching tv, working on indoor hobbies, developing new skills, oh and I guess working as well. All of these are activities that I look forward to and therefore make winter more enjoyable for me.
What I am absolutely fascinated with is the transition from summer to winter through that season called fall. While I have been out riding and running I have particularly noticed the leaves fall. I am sure that everyone has heard that to catch a falling leaf is lucky. I often wonder about these falling leaves and think about them as a metaphor for opportunities.
Imagine that leaves represent opportunities. Leaves are more abundant at certain times of the year, as are opportunities. Now imagine that you were walking in the fall and see all of the leaves falling from the trees and landing on the ground. They may represent opportunities all around you. If you are not paying attention to them, they go unnoticed and pass you by. Now imagine you are alert to the many leaves or opportunities that come your way, you are much more likely to catch one spontaneously. Also, imagine that none of the leaves are coming your way and you are having a hard time grasping one. It sometimes seems the harder you try, the more difficult it becomes to catch one of these leaves. I have tried this while running once. I looked absolutely ridiculous, trying with all of my might, my arms extended, bringing them together, and still missing the leaf. Perhaps the timing or placement wasn`t quite right which the same can be said for opportunities. Another time I went running and a leaf hit me and I managed to catch it without trying. I suppose that is luck.
Does a leaf need to fall from the tree and be caught before it hits the ground to be considered lucky. Occasionally, a truck will drive by and if it is a dry day, the leaves will lift back and present themselves as new falling leaves. This is equivalent to an old opportunity or idea that reappears like a new one. Would it be any less lucky to catch one of those leaves or less beneficial to take advantage of an old opportunity? Let’s consider this leaf metaphor further, would there be anything wrong with bending over and picking up a leaf that no one else has caught? Perhaps that could be related to accepting opportunities that appear to below you or perhaps you are the only one that sees the advantage of a recycled opportunity. Like leaves, opportunities are what you make of them. What do falling leaves mean to you?
Belinda Kissack is a Registered Clinical Counsellor and a Canadian Certified Counsellor who works in the Cowichan Valley who coaches and counsels individuals and couples on a variety of topics including Self-Esteem, Confidence, Relationships, Self-Care, Stress Management, Conflict Resolution. Please call her at 250-710-9972 to book a free consultation.
