Nature’s Blueprint: How Sunlight and Seasons Shape a Resilient Life

By Deborah Holmen, M.Ed., NBCT

A woman in quiet reflection amongst the fall leaves.

There’s a quiet wisdom in the way the world turns. I’ve always found comfort in the rhythms of nature—the gentle rise and fall of the sun, the patient push of green shoots through stubborn earth, the way each season brings its own lessons. Long before I ever put pen to paper, I was a student of these patterns, learning that beauty and resilience are not just gifts, but skills we can cultivate by paying attention to the world around us.

Sunlight Cycles: The Rhythm of Renewal

Every morning, sunlight spills across my kitchen table, no matter what happened the day before. The sun doesn’t ask if we’re ready; it simply rises, offering a fresh start. I’ve learned to honor that rhythm in my own life. I start my days with a few quiet moments—sometimes with a cup of tea, sometimes just watching the light change. It’s a reminder that renewal is always possible, that we can begin again, no matter how tangled yesterday felt.

I encourage you to find your own morning ritual. Let the light guide you into the day, and in the evening, allow yourself to wind down as the sun sets. There’s a reason our bodies respond to these cycles. Nature is nudging us to rest, to reflect, to prepare for what’s next.

Plant Growth: Patience and Progress

If you’ve ever tried to grow anything—flowers, vegetables, even a stubborn houseplant—you know that progress is rarely quick or easy. Seeds need time, water, and a little faith. Sometimes, despite our best efforts, things wilt or wither. But more often than not, with patience and care, something beautiful emerges.

I see so much of myself in those growing things. There have been seasons in my life when I felt buried, overwhelmed by challenges or loss. But just like a seed in the dark, I learned to trust the process.

Growth isn’t always visible, but it’s happening beneath the surface. Celebrate your small wins. Give yourself grace when things don’t go as planned.

Remember, even the tallest sunflower started as a tiny, unremarkable seed.

Seasonal Changes: Embracing Change and Adaptability

Nature never stands still. The trees shed their leaves, the garden goes quiet, and then—almost miraculously—life returns. Each season brings its own gifts and its own challenges. I’ve learned to welcome change, even when it feels uncomfortable. There’s a purpose in every season, a lesson in every shift.

As you move through your own seasons, ask yourself: What is this time teaching me? How can I adapt, grow, or rest? Sometimes, the most important work happens in the quiet, dormant months.

Practical Ways to Live Nature’s Blueprint

• Start and end your day with a moment of sunlight, even if it’s just standing by a window.

• Keep a journal of small growth—what’s blooming in your life, what needs tending, what you’re letting go.

• Take a walk outside and notice the changes around you. Let nature’s patience and resilience inspire your own.

• Don’t be afraid to rest. Even the earth needs time to recover before it bursts into bloom again.

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A Shared Journey

Recently, I noticed Princess Catherine’s new video series exploring the healing power of nature. It’s a beautiful reminder that these lessons are universal. Whether you’re a royal or a regular gardener, we’re all shaped by the same sun, the same seasons, the same need for renewal and growth. My memoir, “It Takes a Lot of Sh*t to Grow Beautiful Flowers: A gardener's guide to Life” was born from this very truth: that beauty and resilience are cultivated, not given.

So, as you move through your days, let nature be your guide. Trust the blueprint that’s been unfolding for millennia. There’s beauty waiting to bloom, even in the messiest of gardens.

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Deborah Holmen is the author of It Takes a Lot of Shit to Grow Beautiful Flowers: A Gardener's Guide to Life, and an educator specializing in personal growth, parenting, relationships, and life transitions. She draws on 25+ years of experience to offer thoughtful advice for navigating new chapters.