The lessons from Roan just keep coming, so I’m going to share another. See, the last time we went there it was “past peak'“. I used that term in the last Roan post, but I just don’t love the term. I know what it means and why it is used and that is why I have used it before to describe the rhododendrons and of course, fall foliage. It is obvious. The colors are not at their absolute most intense color. The flowers begin to wilt and turn a little brown. The leaves shrivle and show evidence of breakage or disease. I get it, but I still don’t like it. It wouldn’t probably phase a person in their twenties or thirties, but as a fifty year old, as the kids say, it just “hits different”. The world would say I’m “past peak”. And, in my weak moments I probably wouldn’t disagree. However, that is negative thinking filled with zero hope. Every season of life has its beauty and joy. We just have to open our eyes and to look at what each new season of life has to offer. When I visited Roan last week, what I saw was evidence of new growth. Sure the flowers were not as vibrant and there were fewer of them, but the intense green of the young, new growth was obvious everywhere once I began to see it.

To assume we don’t need to visit an area once it is “past peak” is just plain sad. That day at Roan was still just as captivating. The views were magnificent and the intense colors of the greens of new growth were brilliant. We were so glad we went. Just like with each new season in nature, each new phase of life has its challenges and its joys and opportunities for growth.

If we are still living and breathing, we must be filled with joy. And we must know that there is always something new to learn. May we always stay teachable. The growth and wisdom can be obvious and visible with every phase. Let’s not ever write a person or a season off as “past peak” again. Keep going on adventures and keep exploring. Life and nature always has lessons and beauty to share if we are willing to see it all for what it can be. Try to observe the details, notice the changes. They are amazing and deserve the attention. I promise that you won’t be disappointed! And, I think you might just find a little extra joy.

Look at this liitle guy! Look at how “proud he looks”. Now that is overcoming adversity right there!