The Cycle of Life: How to Find Abundance in Rotting Apples
When I think of the word abundance, my mind goes almost immediately to one of my favorite family fall traditions: Apple picking. Once a year, my daughter and I load up the car with snacks, water, and a friend or two, and head north in search of our annual fix of orchard-fresh apples.
Highlights of the trip typically begin as soon as we leave the city. We opt for scenic routes that afford us a panoramic view of nature in full flower. Colorful trees preparing for winter hibernation are offset against a brilliant, blue sky. We take note of the fresh produce stands and farmers’ markets along the way. That way, we know we’ll return home laden with fat pumpkins, vibrant veggies, and free-range eggs.
At the orchard we fill our sacks with different varieties and compare notes on the fragrant goodies—slow-cooked applesauce, oatmeal-topped crisps, and cinnamon-scented pies—we’ll soon be whipping up. The whole day is a delicious reminder of the multitude of blessings in my life.
This year, something seemed a bit off.
Travel and work schedules delayed our excursion by several weeks, the consequence of which became evident from the start. The late autumn sky was overcast and a bit grey. The trees were past prime. Colors that usually resemble a new box of crayons on the first day of school were faded. Vivid reds, bright yellows, and brilliant oranges had given way to muted rusts and golds. Many trees had already divested themselves of leaves.
Our late timing was apparent at the orchard as well. We knew going in that the last of the 18 varieties at our orchard had peaked two weeks earlier. Still, it was a bit disappointing to see that many trees had been picked clean. While we were still able to fill our sacks, there were plenty of rows in which more apples lay on the ground than hung on branches. For a moment I experienced a twinge of regret over what we’d missed.
How Apples on the Ground Woke Me Up
As I pondered the piles of apples in various states of decay, I began to see the whole cycle of life on this orchard. I knew from the literature that the orchard would be collecting all of the fallen apples. Some would feed the livestock, the rest would return to the earth in the form of rich, organic compost that would nourish the earth for future harvests. What I initially saw as decay was actually going to sustain life. In fact, it was a harbinger of spring growth. This was the very heart of abundance!
On the drive home, I reconsidered the colors. While the sky was grey, it was a beautiful day, glorious in fact. The air was fragrant, crisp, and cool. The declining colors produced a beautiful tapestry of subtle shades. The afternoon sun shone through them, casting a golden, almost fairytale-like glow.
As to the limited variety of apple pickings compared to years past, my misdirected sense of loss was evident as soon as I looked into the ones I had collected. Dumping them on the ground to shoot the picture you see, revealed a sun-kissed collection of juicy, delicious fruit. And we did return with purple eggplants, vivid red tomatoes, and free-range eggs—blue ones, in fact!
Most important of all, my daughter and I created a splendid memory as we spent time together chatting, laughing, and mugging for selfies among the branches.
In short, there was nothing wrong with this glorious day save my very narrow framing of it. In retrospect, this was in every sense of the word, abundance personified.
Also, read...
The Telomere Effect: Taking Charge of Your Cellular Aging
Mar 08 – Sarah Warren
6 Yogic Tips to Help Boost Immunity
Mar 03 – Kristine Kaoverii Weber, MA, C-IAYT, eRYT500, YACEP
When the Body Says No: Exploring the Stress-Disease Connection
Feb 20 – Sarah Warren
Related courses
Somatic Yoga for Fascial Unwinding
With James Knight
Need an Energy Makeover? How Yoga Can Help You Boost Vitality
With Olga Kabel
Keys to Finding Inner Strength: A Yogic Wisdom Path to Developing Greater Resilience
With Arielle Schwartz
Reprinted with permission from YogaLynn.com
Lynn Crimando, MA serves as the lead teaching mentor for YogaUOnline’s Wellness Educator Program. She is a yoga teacher, C-IAYT Yoga Therapist, board-certified Health and Wellness Coach, and a Buteyko Practitioner. Lynn is certified by the National Academy of Sports Medicine as both a Certified Personal Trainer and a Corrective Exercise Specialist. She has a private practice in the New York City area and teaches ongoing classes on behalf of Health Advocates for Older People. To learn more about Lynn, visit her website: yogalynn.com.
Recent articles
Create Mobility in the Upper Body With Puppy Pose Yoga 2.0
Mar 27 – Leah Sugerman, E-RYT 500, YACEP
Yoga for Cancer Survivors: Keys to Improving Wellbeing and Managing Lingering Side Effects
Mar 22 – Eva Norlyk Smith, Ph.D.
Better Balance in Yoga: It’s Not Just Tree Pose
Mar 20 – Ellen Saltonstall C-IAYT, E-RYT 500
Categories
Upcoming courses
Somatic Yoga for Fascial Unwinding
With James Knight
Need an Energy Makeover? How Yoga Can Help You Boost Vitality
With Olga Kabel
Recent articles
Almost there...
Sorry, we couldn't find anything...
Yoga Practice Tips
Create Mobility in the Upper Body With Puppy Pose Yoga 2.0
Puppy Pose, also known as Uttana Shishosana or sometimes called Anahatasana, is a great…
Mar 27 – Leah Sugerman, E-RYT 500, YACEP
Yoga for Cancer
Yoga for Cancer Survivors: Keys to Improving Wellbeing and Managing Lingering Side Effects
As detection and treatment modalities improve, more and more people are surviving cancer or…
Mar 22 – Eva Norlyk Smith, Ph.D.
Yoga Practice Tips
Better Balance in Yoga: It’s Not Just Tree Pose
“Balance is associated with longevity because it requires keeping your brain and nervous system’s…
Mar 20 – Ellen Saltonstall C-IAYT, E-RYT 500