"All of the trees are losing their leaves and not one of them is worried"
Welcome to my third blog as we traverse through yet another new month in 2019! Why do we so often associate change with negativity? Is change inherently good or bad? Can we trust anything to stay constant?
During a time of seemingly great disturbance and uncertainty, especially surrounding the future of the planet with climate change, I would like to take this opportunity to demonstrate how our future may not be as bleak as it first appears. Shira Tamir agrees in saying:
"Anyone who thinks fallen leaves are dead has never watched them dancing on a windy day"
For centuries, generations have been fascinated by trees as these great plants which always seem to hold remarkable and extraordinary stature. More than 300 million years ago they helped to transform Planet Earth into a utopia for land animals by housing, feeding and caring for countless creatures over time and the fact is that we simply cannot live without them. Many individual trees can stand their ground for centuries or even millennia. We may wonder: do they have a special secret which allows them to change and yet continue to exist for such a long span of time? We unmistakably need trees for their production of oxygen and absorption of carbon dioxide, and yet it seems that we do not always show them the reverence and respect which they deserve.
3 trillion trees...
Despite our deep-rooted reliance on trees, we do take them for granted, portrayed by the increase in deforestation and 46% fewer trees on Earth than 12,000 years ago... but you will be glad to hear that all is not lost. Fortunately, we humans can't shake off the instinctive fondness for these beings and their mere presence has been proved to make us calmer, happier and more creative. When humans are exposed to the chemicals released by trees known as phytoncides, research has shown reduced blood pressure, reduced anxiety, increased pain thresholds and even increased expression of anti-cancer proteins. Clearly, there is much to be admired in these gigantic sources of protection and reassurance. So, what can we learn from them?
Having experienced a whirlwind of a summer this year, I have been fortunate to observe multiple moments of tranquility which has allowed me to appreciate the stark difference between the transient and the eternal, which we may consider in the lifetime of a tree. When going out for a walk, these plants appear indestructible and eternal, but our next step may take us past a fallen tree which shows the transient. One of the clearest manifestations of the cycle of trees may be observed in the changing of the seasons and how the trees themselves alter. We may easily compare this to our own lifecycles. Just as the vibrant energy of Spring changes into the heat of Summer, then the beauty of Autumn and lastly the chills of Winter, our own lives can often seem to be ever changing with nothing permanent or enduring for us to rely on.
"What if trees refused to let go of their dying leaves? ... Letting go lets us grow"
Nevertheless, the words above delineate how change is necessary and in fact commonly takes place, affecting some of the visibly strongest and sturdiest creations. Change is natural/Natural in both essences of the word and so, this may help to give us reassurance that the concept may not be as daunting or formidable as it first appears to us. Many of us when we first think of change strongly associate the concept with negativity, especially as ageing and growing old(er) may be closely linked in our mind with change. However, there is clearly a dichotomy in this interpretation of change as another recognised characteristic of change is also growth and even perhaps new life. We are often quickly influenced by what we view in the media connected with change and ageing, yet we do not stop to consider that change happens in a multitude of ways, at both ends of life. What is more, it is easy to reflect that change necessitates leaving behind what has happened in the past and forgetting what has happened, such as memories, life events and even people. Of course, change unfortunately does bring loss which is painful for anyone affected but it is comforting to know that there is hope in change bringing optimism in the future. We have to accept change as a way of moving forward in our lives and that it is possible for us to remember and reminisce all that has taken place so far, even if there is grief there. Mandy Hales' words may bring further courage with her raw honesty "Growth is painful. Change is painful. But nothing is as painful as staying stuck somewhere you don't belong" and in time, this may be affirmed.
"Change your thoughts and you change the world..." ??
As we have discovered in the example of change in relation to trees, the notion of change affects everyone and everything, regardless of apparent size and strength. As Heraclitus says "Change is the only constant in life" and although this may at first cause uncomfortable bewilderment between the 100 billion neurons (or more) whirring in your brain at this moment, time and experience can indicate how this statement is encouraging. Above all, without change, you would not be alive reading this blog on a smart device,itself also the product of change, and the connections which I am able to make via this medium would simply be impossible. Considering change in a more quotidian manner, change allows us to develop and mature as human beings and we can expand our impact within our families, communities, countries and even the world. #rippleeffect
How does change affect our lives?
As we have progressed through this blog, I hope that you have managed to enlarge your perspective on change and how there may be more facets to it than we immediately suppose. For myself, I know that change has brought about some truly wonderful memories with dear friends and family in particular during the summer just gone, alongside other past changes which have brought about less desirable circumstances but the exposure to both effects of change has broadened my outlook. Although not all changes are indeed seen to instigate positive outcomes, I think that the binary between positive and negative effects of change can be lessened. Hopefully, you may come to experience that there are changes which instinctively do not appear positive with regards to their outcome, but hindsight elucidates how there may be positive aspects after all. Let's take a poignant current example to muse over change and its place in the world.
When you live on a planet, there is no choosing sides...
When considering the future of this planet, we may feel a plethora of various emotions including helplessness, despair, frustration, hope, determination, resolve and many more, since the rate of change seems more and more unalterable with the days passing by. We are regularly told that the planet's average surface temperature is rising at an alarming rate, which we have experienced with the variety in weather conditions increasing from year to year. Of course, science itself also continues to change and improve, therefore meaning that top researchers are able to provide us with more accurate data which we can reasonably trust. Be that as it may, to round off my words on change here would be futile, as the majority of my earlier ruminations about change would prove to be worthless as climate change appears to have few, if any, positive implications for change. However, my recent interaction with a radio debate about this global concern allowed me to somewhat *change* my view. As has been already noted, change occurs steadily throughout life and it is valuable to consider that climate change may in fact be the change which the planet needs to undergo, before it changes and begins to grow in a healthy manner once again. Without doubt, I do not claim that passivity is necessarily a solution to climate change and I am still of the firm belief that we should try to help lessen the human impact upon Nature but perhaps, we may feel slightly less agitated and worried in ourselves if we can see some positive characteristics of change and that this change on the planet may indeed be required, even if we have advanced the speed of change.
There are always 2 sides to 1 coin...
Alongside the negativity associated with climate change, there is a now wealth of information just at our fingertips, thanks to the change and development of the computer in the early 19th century by the 'father of the computer' Charles Babbage, ensuring that it is now fairly effortless to stay connected with people all over the world, purchase items and send money, without a second thought. I don't think anyone could deny that this was a marvellous change, which no-one before could ever have imagined. Consequently, it is clear that change is inextricably linked with opposing effects, so-called 'positive' and 'negative', but possibly over time, we may be able to see beyond these effects and reflect upon change in a more open-minded way.
I conclude with propitious words by Gail Sheehy:
"If we don't change, we don't grow. If we don't grow, we aren't really living"
Love,
Sitara xxx
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