If only life came with an instruction manual! We could all turn to a specific page and find guidance on handling life’s journey—the trials, successes, and failures we face. Unfortunately, life doesn’t work that way. We stumble many times, trying to figure out this thing called life.
If we slowed down, we would see that there are many lessons in nature that provide guidance—we just have to open our eyes and hearts to see them all around us.
During moments of uncertainty, I like to reflect on some of those lessons in nature. They help give me focus and see a path forward with whatever problem I’m dealing with at that moment.
The next time you’re feeling lost emotionally and mentally, or need a gentle reminder to keep pushing, take a moment and ponder these life lessons we can learn from nature.
Lesson #1: Perseverance
The salmon run or journey upstream is a lesson in overcoming struggles. Once salmon reach maturity, they leave the ocean and return upstream to their birthplace to spawn. They can only reach the rivers and complete this journey by swimming against the water’s current. Since they lack the energy to return to the ocean after spawning, they end up dying.
This journey reminds us that life presents struggles that will test our faith and strength. The lesson we can learn here is to never give up. Even when life gets difficult, we have to keep going. Refusing to give up is the only way for us to triumph over struggles in life.
Through perseverance, many people win success out of what seemed destined to be certain failure.
―Benjamin Disraeli
Lesson #2: Persistence
Some birds migrate a thousand miles in search of food and new nesting locations. To complete this grueling, long flight, the birds make stopovers along the way to rest and eat but continue the journey towards their destination.
What lesson can we learn from bird migration? You’ve heard the saying, “A journey of a thousand miles begins with one step.” This quote reminds us that we will never reach our goals unless we start the journey. Yet, many of us tire of our efforts in pursuit of our dreams.
When hardship or obstacles occur, we want to stop. Like migratory birds, we should rest when tired but get back up and continue moving ahead.
If you can’t fly, then run. If you can’t run, then walk. If you can’t walk, then crawl. But whatever you do, you have to keep moving forward.
—Martin Luther King, Jr.
Lesson #3: Patience
No seed planted will sprout the same day. Seeds germinate at the right time—spreading their roots underground before sending a shoot up. We don’t see the growth happening. Yet, we have faith that our seed nurturing with sunlight, nutrients, and water will soon produce a plant.
Staying motivated when we’re working towards a goal takes a lot of effort. We want to see the fruits of our labor immediately. Many of us give up before ever seeing success. Like a planted seed, we work in the darkness—toiling with our heads down—hoping to see success from our blood, sweat, and tears.
If we remain steadfast, we soon see all our hard work pay off—but only if we can hang tight. For many of us, we lose hope and give up—never seeing the success we hoped for.
Patience is a key element of success.
―Bill Gates
Lesson #4: Endurance
A palm tree’s flexibility allows it to sway and withstand hurricane winds—bending without breaking. When you think about it, a tall, slender tree can withstand hurricane-force winds, but those same winds will destroy buildings made of stone and steel. Nature is remarkable!
How strong are you when the winds of life blow? Do you bend and sway like a wacky air dancer inflatable or break, turning to drugs and alcohol to escape the pain and suffering? When life beats you down and batters you with its forceful winds, do you want to run for cover or remain steadfast?
At one point in my life, I lost my mother, grandmother, and brother within a year. I cursed God for taking the ones I loved so dearly. It took me a long time to feel whole again.
As much as I didn’t want to feel the pain, I couldn’t control the most crucial element: time. I had to endure the pain and grief—going through my days numb, hoping for the pain to go away. Then, one day, the pain I felt didn’t hurt as much.
Nothing happens to any man that he is not formed by nature to bear.
—Marcus Aurelius
Lesson #5: Humility
We give little thought to an acorn we see on the ground. Yet, the tiny seed inside the acorn’s tough exterior will one day grow into a mighty oak tree. Some oak trees can grow up to 100 feet tall and live 75 years or longer.
Whatever you achieve in life results from many baby steps. No matter the success, the starting point is always small—no one achieves success starting at the top. The lesson of the acorn reminds us that the smallest beginning can lead to greatness.
How should we handle that greatness or success once it’s achieved? We should remain humble and remember our beginnings.
Be like the bamboo: the higher you grow the deeper you bow.
―Chinese Proverb
Nature is full of life lessons! We don’t have to stumble in the darkness looking for answers to some of life’s problems—the lessons in nature are our guiding light.
