Not long ago, I wrote about the red and bronze colors that appear in some trees and plants during the spring. I had learned that certain leaves emerge this way because pigments called anthocyanins help protect their tender early growth from strong sunlight and fluctuating temperatures. I shared that maybe there are seasons in life where gentleness and protection are a part of healthy growth.
This week, I’ve noticed something else happening. Some of those same leaves are now beginning to turn green as chlorophyll becomes more dominant and photosynthesis strengthens. The plants are changing again. The protective reds and bronzes are giving way to fuller growth and deeper energy production.
And honestly, I think this stage is interesting, too.
So if we want to make a metaphor out of it, perhaps this is also a good reminder that there are also seasons for launching forward. If you’ve been quietly preparing or gathering energy, maybe this is your sign that it’s okay to begin moving into what comes next.
The greening has begun.
—Renee Roederer
Smuggling Grace 