Ever think you could learn lessons from a young mimosa tree? Me either.

One night at dusk, a friend pointed out a young mimosa tree, often called the “sleeping plant.” One look at its leaves explains its name.  Each evening the leaves curl up into a fetal position as if welcoming in the full moon, the star studded sky, and a restful night’s sleep.

In the days prior to electricity, the end of daylight signaled the time for rest and retirement from the day’s activities. Nighttime was the time to refresh and renew, to balance the melatonin-serotonin ratio. Mimosa trees grow rapidly, to about 20-25 feet. Is there a health message there for us?

Soon enough the dawn appears. Just as the mimosa’s leaves stretch and open to grasp the light of another day, so did the inhabitants of the bed unwind from their fetal positions, welcoming a new day.

The mimosa is also called the sensitive plant. The name derives from the Latin word mimus, meaning “to imitate.” The mimosa was given this name because of the way it folds its leaves when touched.

What if we humans were more sensitive? What if we thought more about how much touch can warm another’s heart? What would happen if we folded our arms around the person who reaches out to touch us? What if we touched each other more?  What if we made a bigger effort to transfer love from one heart to another?

Mimosa trees are commonly planted near back patios because of their ability to attract hummingbirds. What if our energy was so beautiful that we attracted others to us?

The mimosa’s blooms are a striking pink color with a unique texture. The tree is also known as the “silk tree” because of its stunning, shimmering flowers. They can be seen blocks away, and the fragrant scent can be detected almost as far.

Like the mimosa, can’t you sense the person who fills the room with vibrance the minute they enter the doorway…and the one who sucks the life out of you?

A lesson from the mimosa…size or money or prestige just doesn’t matter. Mimosa trees work beautifully when you need a small to medium sized ornamental tree. Though they have a tropical look, they are very hardy. They adapt to almost any soil type, and they even tolerate drought conditions. Wouldn’t it be grand if we were as adaptable to the people and circumstances we encounter along our life’s journey?

The mimosa’s bark is a gentle light gray, providing a beautiful contrast of color. As we encounter the contrast in our day, might we be just a little gentler with our bark as we navigate our way?

The mimosa’s fragrant, hot pink blooms grow in clusters, adding an explosion of color and excitement to any spring setting. What if we humans gathered together, pulling together for a common cause? What explosion of color and excitement might we bring to an initiative, be it work, play, or love?

Mimosas can be planted in full sun or partial shade. Any location works.

No matter our location, all it takes is learning and applying a few simple lessons provided by the mimosa tree.

This entry was posted on Tuesday, June 1st, 2010 at 11:39 am and is filed under Lessons from Nature. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.