This post presents a new strategy – to help us understand the need, and to accomplish the deed, of changing perspectives.

Leaves turn to begin their change, and shiver in a breeze.

Fog seeps round our window frames – damping summer’s heat. 

Another year is passing – rushing by us all too soon;

We slipped from New Year’s promise to the middle-stream of June. 

Then, slid right into Autumn – colors shift from green to flame.

With dreams, fears, and challenge near – we pause, to ponder change. 

I want to share some hope, and help, for holding back the dark;

To comfort, and encourage you – hang on, and please take heart.

 My heart is full. You’re on my mind. We are not alone.

As winter’s cold concerns – we face, an unknown future we embrace.

Be assured that we are known.

And we are loved, child. Walk in Grace.

With or without on-going difficulty with depression and anxiety – temporary dissatisfaction is completely understandable right now. Increased anxiety and feelings of disappointment, possible frustration, and confusion are natural by-products of this season in our national history – as well as in the routine passing of the year.

This post expands on a suggestion made in the last article. Get out of the house, and get into nature. I want to offer a strategy I call ‘Natural Metaphor’.

I hope, by now, we have all come to more fully appreciate and celebrate our Divine Design. It’s not surprising that we can find comfort and strength also in celebrating the designs of nature that surround us.

Here’s the deal; When we spend too much time focused on our worries, problems, or other negatives – we are at risk of losing true focus, and of allowing our perspectives and attention thresholds to be knocked out of alignment.

If you wonder what I mean, please review Post # 11 (Traffic Control). You’ll find an explanation of ‘brain matters’, and our personal power to determine, and fine tune, these (threshold) settings.

Experiment: Hold up a quarter so that you see its full face, at arms length. Close one eye – then slowly bring the quarter towards your face until it completely covers the viewing area of your open eye.

Chances are, at that distance, you can’t fully appreciate all the fine details of the engraving – and you have probably lost all appreciation for the surrounding environment (the field of vision beyond the quarter).

Whatever else the environment held before your view was blocked – is, most likely, still there. You may not have fully noticed it all to begin with – but now it’s completely unavailable – impossible to see, use, or to enjoy.

To open your field of vision again, you will have to move the quarter back. An arm’s length of distance will restore a truer perspective – and will give you access to the other potentials in the environment that you were missing.

The same thing can happen to us as we become saturated with news, and views of the murder and mayhem, politics and programming in our world – with non-stop media exposure.

Over-exposure weakens us. We need a break.

So, go outside. Sit (or, if it’s cold, park) under a tree. Look around. Consider the trees. As you visually appreciate the beauty, take note of details.

Pick one, and notice what type of tree you are looking at. Notice its height, and girth. Check the color, shape, and the presence or absence of leaves.

Notice the movement of branches. Really see the design lines of the trunk. Is there a pattern to the root growth?

Next consider the mechanics of that tree … how is it nourished? What purposes does it serve? How can it stand against wind and storms?   What qualities does that tree have that serve its own survival, and offer benefit to its surrounding environment, and to the human admirer (you) within that setting?

Got it? You may have identified that the tree has deep roots – capable of seeking deep sources of moisture and nourishment from the soil. Those roots are also responsible for supporting and anchoring that tree during winds and storms.

You might know that this tree’s roots run, perhaps, as deeply down into the earth – as it’s branches rise up to its crowning height. How deep are the roots of my faith, family and culture?  Can I draw nourishment from them?

Also, notice how far both the root system and branches spread out from the center. It’s quite a circle of influence isn’t it?

Have you ever felt that air seems fresher, and breathing easier, under a tree?

A carbon dioxide and oxygen exchange is part of the tree’s natural cycle.  The oxygen we breathe comes from water. Trees and other green plants draw water through their root systems. Green plants and trees are among the very few facilitators of photosynthesis. Photosynthetic reaction combines water and atmospheric carbon dioxide – to form glucose, which plants require as food.

This reaction also splits water molecules and oxygen atoms – forming oxygen gas.

Plants and trees use very little oxygen. The rest goes into the air – which we breathe. We exhale carbon dioxide, which the plants and trees need for their conversion.

The relationship between plants and other living beings is another beautiful example of Divine Design. One can’t live without the other. This is also a rich source for natural metaphor.

How many lessons or analogies can we take from trees? Consider the depth and strength of their roots, and the height and glory of their crowns – with their ability to reach for sunlight, above the shadows of neighboring growth. How can I rise above competing (neighboring) concerns, or distractions? Can I lift my arms to seek the Son’s light?

Then, think of the tree’s flexibility in movement – bending with the wind, rather than breaking in resistance.

Think of the miracle of photosynthesis – the exchange of life-giving gases and influence.

Also, consider buds unfurling into green leaves – each an original design. No two are exactly alike. Young leaves are supple, strongly anchored to each branch, unable to survive unless attached – and they are necessary to the life of the tree. One can’t thrive without the other. We, also, depend on attachment. In John 15:5, our Lord reminds us;

“I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing.”

Next: Consider the changes in leaf structure and function – as the seasons pass. Green goes to gold. Leaves lose their hold. Retiring from the active work of photosynthesis – and provision of shade during summer’s heat – they contribute to enrich the soil as they fall, dancing to the earth.

Gifts of beauty, movement, and life can be found in each stage. May that be equally true of us.

I could fill pages with other ideas and analogies – just on this one topic. How many more can you think of?

I can promise that the time you invest in considering the beauty of the Creator – as well as His creation, and pondering how you may be able to apply similar qualities and exercises, to thoughts and emotions within your own Divine Design – will be time well spent.

Try it, when you need to break the grip of your concerns. You will find your efforts pay great dividends in peace of mind, joy, and perspective.

In Psalms 1: 3 we find encouragement and promise of even more delight for those who walk with God:

“He shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water – that brings forth its fruit in its season, Whose leaf also shall not wither; And whatever he does shall prosper.”

This is just one example of developing and applying ‘Natural Metaphor’. Blessed by our Creator – His creation (all of nature), offers much potential for this type of meditation. It’s a powerful strategy for increasing your satisfaction and balance – in a world that may seem to be increasingly short of both.

Until next time – Blessings, Love and Laughter to you,

Marge

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1.  What natural metaphor could you create from the example in this post?
2.  If you are willing to try this strategy – who will you share your results with ?