The Wisdom of Letting Go
In the Northern Hemisphere, the air is becoming crisp and cold…
the leaves of the trees are turning color, falling, and returning to the soil…
and life is beginning to take on a bit of a slower pace.
Symbolically, the beautifully vibrant colors of autumn show us that even in the process of letting go, there somehow exists a sort of beautiful perfection to it all…
"Be like a tree and let the dead leaves drop."
—Rumi
The concept of seeing beauty hidden within the decay of autumn may at first seem unsettling to the Western mind…
This may be due to our society’s overemphasis on youth, productivity, and growth. Many of us tend to hyper-fixate on achievement, measure worth by external accomplishments, and work 10-hour days for years on end.
In other words, we have been bred into a culture in which we are "always on.”
This cultural narrative further assumes a need to exert control over the natural world, viewing ourselves at the top of the food chain and always “knowing best.” This mindset has severed our connection to the natural cycles of life, leading us to undervalue qualities like receptivity, rest, and renewal.
"Look deep into nature, and then you will understand everything better."
—Albert Einstein
Death, decay, and renewal, however, are inseparable aspects of the cycles of the natural world…
When the leaves die and drop in autumn, they also decompose and enrich the soil with nutrients. This makes the soil more fertile, helping new plants grow in the spring. This natural cycle of decay then supports renewal and growth in the springtime.
The flourishing of springtime wouldn’t be possible if it weren’t for the letting go of dead leaves and their breakdown into organic matter.
This metaphor directly translates to our own lives. If we were to reconnect with the changing of the seasons, we may come to realize that:
without periods of rest, reflection, and release, we wouldn’t have creation, growth, and flourishing…
without grief and sorrow, we wouldn’t be able to appreciate joy and elation…
without discomfort and challenge, we wouldn't fully understand ease and contentment.
This act of viewing life through a holistic lens allows us to zoom out from the momentary happenings of life to see the broader picture. It unveils the Wisdom that every step in the process carries meaning and serves a greater purpose.
"When we try to pick out anything by itself, we find it hitched to everything else in the universe."
—John Muir
Each of us has the power to shift our perspective to that of holism. In doing so, we begin to see Beauty in the process of letting go and how it plays a vital role in bigger picture of Life.
In the world of psychology, this shift in perspective is referred to as cognitive reframing,and it allows us to view the challenges of life as learning opportunities. So, when life begins to feel overwhelming, we can gently remind ourselves, “what lessons am I gaining from this?” or “how might this be an important part of my life story?”
Perhaps this season of life calls for rest, reflection, and release.
Perhaps in stillness is where true healing is found.
Perhaps we can only truly appreciate growth if we also appreciate surrender, or letting go.
"Letting go gives us freedom, and freedom is the only condition for happiness. If, in our heart, we still cling to anything—anger, anxiety, or possessions—we cannot be free."
—Pema Chödrön
All in all, the season of autumn reminds us to let go in order to fully receive the gifts that life has to offer.
In appreciating the processes of both surrender and growth, we are also embracing the Wisdom to see the bigger picture of life.
Furthermore, when we remove fear-based blinders of panic and rush, it’s quite possible that we find ourselves amidst a magnificent predicament — submerged in the Beauty of Life.
Life then becomes nothing short of a wonderful mystery.
"It is not how things are in the world that is mystical, but that it exists."
—Ludwig Wittgenstein
May we have the Wisdom to see the Beauty in every experience of life.
Max Kristopher Komes
www.MaxKomes.com
Max Komes is a Master’s-level Registered Mental Health Counselor Intern operating under licensed supervision in Pensacola, Florida. His philosophy is that each and every individual holds wellsprings of wisdom within them, and with the right tools, can access this wisdom to live purposeful, healthy, and resilient lives.
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