5 Life Lessons from Nature

It may still be chilly in the upper Midwest, but spring is right around the corner. The snow will disappear, the crocuses and daffodils will begin popping up, and we’ll start swapping heavy sweaters and boots for t-shirts and sandals. One of the most rewarding parts of spring, in my opinion, is watching the landscape change from brown to green. There is something awe-inspiring about this renewal. It lifts our spirits and reinvigorates us.

We can, in fact, learn quite a few life lessons from nature. Some of them apply to financial growth, some to personal or spiritual growth. Here are 5 life lessons you can pick up from nature:

Growth Takes Time

An oak tree doesn’t grow overnight, and neither will you. If you’re trying to make a change in your life, head in a new direction, or grow/develop in some way, be patient with yourself. Take things slowly and nurture the changes you’re trying to achieve.

The same lesson applies to financial growth. You can’t expect to make a million dollars in a single day with one investment decision. Growth takes time, and it is often uneven. There might be periods of drought (bear markets or temporary market declines), but with time and the right strategy, your investments will be poised to steadily grow.

Focus on Your Roots

Roots are the anchors of plants. They connect them to the soil—to the resources they need to live. They also act as channels to take in water or nutrients from the soil. What are your “roots?” Which aspects of your life “fill you up” and provide you with happiness, support, and hope?

Your roots might be tied to family, career, or your hobbies/passions. Your roots might even be tied to a specific place—a hometown, a church, a special park. Whatever the case, don’t neglect your roots! Center yourself around them and treat them with the care they deserve.

Weather the Storms

Have you ever noticed how trees bend and sway in a storm? They might lose a branch or two, but they usually make it through without too much harm done.

You, too, will inevitably face “storms” in your life. You can choose to give in to them, or you can roll with the punches, be flexible, do your best, and endure. In a past post, I talked about the importance of having grit and building your resilience. Even if you don’t always feel strong, it is possible to develop your inner strength and grit.

Prepare for Droughts

Prairie grass is known to have roots that extend up to 15 feet into the soil! This is a far cry from the decorative grass that grows in our lawns. The reason their roots systems are so robust has to do with enduring droughts.

Thinking of this from a financial angle, it’s a good idea to prepare for potential “droughts” in your life by maintaining an emergency savings account. Life can throw all kinds of curveballs at you—a damaged roof, a broken leg, unexpected unemployment—and an emergency savings account can help you weather these tough times. Funneling a little bit of money each month to your savings account is an easy way to provide yourself a little cushion, just in case life takes an unexpected turn.

Give without Expectations

Trees provide shade, give us fruit, and create habitats for birds and wildlife. They clean the air by removing carbon and emitting oxygen. They might not realize it, but they are constantly giving and providing us with many of the essentials people (and wildlife) need.

In the same way, we can strive to give to others without expecting recognition or a reward. You don’t need a trophy or your name published in the newspaper for doing the right thing. Giving to others and helping to make the world a better place is the reward. Can you imagine a world where people were willing to help out, donate time and money, and be kind without saying, “What’s in it for me?” That kind of world is possible, and it can happen one small act of kindness at a time.

 

Life lessons can be found in many surprising places, including the natural world. Nature is a quiet teacher; we just have to be willing to listen.