“I notice that Autumn is more the season of the soul than of nature” – Friedrich Nietzsche
A Season of Change
D I R E C T I O N S :
As you pass the UVM Police Department, take a left down a marked path located “Centennial Woods” – as you march along this natural path, observe the energies that flow between trees, taking note of the change that is present in this area.
Reflections :
As I walked through Centennial Woods I took note of the various woody species, including sugar maples, ash trees, eastern white pines, and yellow birches. As the overstory shed its orange pigmented leaves, much of the understory appeared as decaying matter, which will soon recycle to form nutrients. My first time exploring Centennial Woods was at the end of August, so the phenological shift was very noticeable.
On a brisk October day I decided to visit Centennial Woods to not only gather observations for this blog, but also to reconnect with some sense of peace and acceptance of change.
As a first-year college student, change confronts us abruptly, leading us to grow in ways that are sometimes unexpected. By walking in Centennial Woods I was reminded that change is everywhere, yet it’s a matter of learning to navigate through the change that leads to growth. Similar to this natural area, the change that is occuring as leaves decay, and the forest starts to illustrate a darker presence, is a gentle reminder that nature is constantly changing with us.
