Inspired Living: 5 Metaphorical Lessons Nature Is Desperately Trying to Teach Us About Life

“Look deep into nature and then you will understand everything better.” – Albert Einstein 

If we look close enough at nature and observe what’s in the world around us, we’ll discover an abundance of lessons waiting to be learned.

The trouble is, most of us are too wrapped up in other sensory inputs such as our phones, TV, and social media that we don’t even realize there’s an entire universe of teachers in front of us, and to learn the lessons they’re trying to teach us we just have to pay attention.

Are you ready to learn the lessons nature is desperately trying to teach you? Here are 5 metaphorical lessons from nature, and how to decode them: 

1.) If We Don’t Understand Parasites We Risk Becoming Infected By Them

Parasite (n): “An organism that lives in or on another organism (its host) and benefits by deriving nutrients at the host’s expense.”

Typically, parasites are given a bad rap and for good reason— after all, their entire existence is based on feeding off of and draining other living beings.

But parasites aren’t just creepy worms and entities that invade our bodies or the bodies of animals and make us sick. They’re also powerful teachers — metaphors from nature.

You see, parasites exist in the human world too, only they’re concealed by human masks. If you’ve ever been in an abusive or one-sided relationship, you’ve had a personal experience with a parasitic person.

Parasitic people take and take until there’s nothing left. When their “host” is depleted they move on to the next one; their appetite is just as insatiable as their parasitic counterpart found in nature.

Here’s what you can learn from nature to ensure you don’t allow parasites to feed off of you:

• Parasites come in all shapes or forms and they’re able to take control of their hosts in a variety of ways
• If you notice your energy levels crash every time you’re around a certain person, this is nature’s way of telling you that person is toxic to you
• Parasitic people will feed freely off of you and have no issues eating up your time, money, assets and/or opportunities.
• Parasitic people always take, but rarely (if ever) give

When you look around your life, make note of people who only come around when they need something, or when it’s convenient for them — these are the parasites in your life.

Then ask yourself, “Is this a relationship I want to continue pouring my time and energy into?”

Remember, a healthy relationship (be it with a partner, friends, family, co-workers etc.) is one where there’s an equal exchange of effort and energy. In the absence of this, an imbalance forms, and a parasitic relationship is born.

2.) Sharks Don’t Just Exist in The Sea

Before we set foot in the ocean, most of us are well aware of the dangers lurking beneath the water. That’s why we first learn how to swim and then proceed with caution.

If the tide is too high, or jellyfish are readily present, or there’s a shark sighting nearby we’re typically deterred from entering the water.

But, the ocean isn’t the only place sharks exist; it’s just the only place we learn to fear their existence.

Sharks also walk among us, as us. Being aware of this and understanding the warning signs will help you avoid a shark attack in your life.

Here’s what to look out for: 

• People who are cold and calculating, seemingly waiting for their moment to knock you down to get ahead
• People who give you a bad feeling, and make you feel like they’re always watching you
• People who have no issue taking a bite out of something that belongs to you, not because they want it but just because it’s there

If you notice people like this around you, tread carefully. As nature shows us, sharks don’t always strike, but when they do they always leave a mark.

3.) Storms Can Happen Anywhere, Anyhow, Anytime

Have you ever been outside on what started as a beautiful, clear, sunny day only to unexpectedly be greeted by pouring rain, thunder, and lightning?

The weather report may have even indicated the weather would be perfect — yet, it changed in an instant and you were unprepared and left soaking wet in the middle of a storm.

Life is no different from the weather — sometimes it’s beautiful and calm, sometimes it’s stormy and chaotic. But regardless, it’s always changing and no matter how much we plan, we can never plan and predict everything that will happen.

The truth is, all of us will face various personal storms in our lives. And these storms, just like the ones we see in nature, humble us and remind us chaos and change are natural parts of life that can happen anytime, anywhere, anyhow.

4.) Everything That is Nurtured Blooms

If you plant a seed and nurture it with sunlight, water and the right nutrients it will grow. If you plant a seed and neglect it, or feed it toxins, it may grow but it will never reach its full potential.

The same goes for humans. When a person is nurtured, encouraged and fed positivity they will achieve optimal health, wellness and success.

Think of your life as a garden. Only plant the seeds you want to grow, and then nurture them with love, nutrients, sunshine and all of the goodness life has to offer.

5.) Life Always Finds a Way

No matter how dire or overwhelming circumstances may seem, or what disasters strike, life always has and always will find a way.

Rather than getting too caught up in what’s happening, or worrying about what will be because of X, Y or Z, take a deep breath and bring yourself back to this present moment and know that the circle of life will continue forever more.

“From the day we arrive on the planet
And blinking, step into the sun

There’s more to see than can ever be seen
More to do than can ever be done

There’s far too much to take in here
More to find than can ever be found

But the sun rolling high
Through the sapphire sky

Keeps great and small on the endless round

It’s the circle of life

And it moves us all
Through despair and hope

Through faith and love

Till we find our place

On the path unwinding
In the circle

The circle of life

It’s the circle of life

And it moves us all
Through despair and hope
Through faith and love

Till we find our place
On the path unwinding

In the circle
The circle of life”

The natural world around us is pure magic. It’s made up of an energy that can never be created or destroyed, and so are we. And that makes us pure magic too.

The question is, are you ready and willing to become its student?

Xx,

Antasha

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 About Antasha Durbin: Antasha is a spiritual writer, life-long student of the universe, and psychic tarot card reader. Her website, cajspirituality.com, is dedicated to casualizing the spiritual experience and making it attainable for anyone, anywhere, anytime. Follow her for free, easy-to-digest and highly actionable advice on spirituality, mindfulness and empowered living.