Lessons from nature
I can hear the pitter patter of water slowly draining from my roof making its way through the gutters and into the cold earth. The shifting of the tundra in front of my house is cracking and re-plenishing the soil with nutrient rich hydration.
Nature’s system of repair after a major snowstorm seems to be working on autopilot. Each function sets into place as the sun emerges from the cloudy sky and the heat elevates in the atmosphere. Another example of nature’s cycle that doesn’t require human intervention.
What inspiration can we glean from nature’s change cycle?
Tip 1: Know your purpose
In nature, everything has a purpose, everyone knows their job. The sun rises and sets each day on a natural rhythm whether the clouds allow its light to shine or not. The moon circles the earth, influencing the ocean tides and keeping our climate stable.
When every part of a system knows their role and function and is given the autonomy and freedom to succeed, additional intervention is not needed to operate. Self-organization occurs naturally.
When systems are working, we don’t need to step in and fix them. Trying to help the snow melt faster by bringing my blow dryer out to my roof could have unintended consequences (like setting my home on fire).
Tip 2: Don’t overload the system
There were parts of Colorado this week that got several feet of snow. And for some locations this was simply too much at once. Some ski resorts closed for the first time in twenty years from too much snow.
Waiting for the sun and heat to naturally do their job would take too long and human intervention became necessary to clear the roads, unbury resorts and get the natural cycle to become unstuck.
Doing too much at once can block the system.
Tip 3: Stay curious
The sun continues to shine, and the moon and stars are in the sky, regardless of whether we can see them. On a clear day or night, their magic becomes visible, reminding us of the power of a natural rhythm and role. Just because we can’t see the sun or moon amidst the clouds doesn’t mean the system isn’t working.
Stay curious and be willing to seek inspiration in unconventional places. A simple interview with nature can offer tremendous insights.
What would you add from your own experience and inspiration of nature?
The world needs who you were made to be!
