Yesterday, while heading out for laundry, I stumbled upon a quote on a wall that stopped me in my tracks:

“散ると見たのは凡夫の木の葉は大地へ帰るなり”

“It is the ordinary man who sees the leaves as simply scattered; the truth is, the leaves return to the earth.”

The words struck me deeply, as if they had unlocked a doorway to another realm of understanding. They reminded me that while I often live in a world of my own creation, it’s vital to reconnect with nature and the cycles around us.

At first glance, the falling leaves might seem like the end of something—a quiet, bittersweet moment as they drift to the ground. But in truth, their journey isn’t over. Those leaves return to the earth, enriching it, nourishing the soil, and preparing the ground for new growth. What looks like an ending is simply part of a much larger, beautiful cycle.

Life, like the seasons, follows a rhythm. In autumn, we release what no longer serves us, much like the trees shedding their leaves. Then winter arrives, a time of stillness that can feel barren and lifeless. But beneath the surface, winter is full of quiet preparation. The trees conserve their energy; seeds lie dormant, waiting for spring’s warmth. Our lives mirror this cycle. In times of change or loss, when we let go of old habits, ideas, or relationships, it can feel like the end. Yet these moments are not endings—they are transitions. They are necessary pauses that create space for renewal.

Winter, with all its quiet and cold, isn’t something to fear or resist. It offers us a gift: time to reflect, rest, and prepare for what’s to come. It reminds us that even during life’s harshest moments, growth is happening beneath the surface.

The falling leaves teach us that nothing is ever truly lost. What we let go of becomes part of something greater. Our struggles and endings, like the leaves, enrich the soil of our lives, setting the stage for transformation and rebirth.

As the spring always follows winter, no matter how long or cold it seems. Trust in that cycle. Let the leaves fall. Let the winters come. They are not endings but beginnings in disguise, reminders that brighter seasons always lie ahead.

The wisdom of nature is all around us, patiently teaching us that even in letting go, there is life, hope, and the promise of renewal. Cheers!!