Have you ever paid attention to the actions of plants and trees in the world? Do you have the proverbial “green thumb?” Do you garden at home? Small things blow my mind every day and one of them is the need that plants have for the light. We learn that scientifically, the process by which plants, as producers, make their own food is photosynthesis, requiring the absorption of sunlight as one of its prerequisites. That has made sense to me ever since I learned it. However, the thing that fascinated me was watching what plants do when the position of the light source changes, or the position of the plant itself is altered.

If you have ever spent time with your plants outside, surely you have likely noticed that your plants, depending on where you have them, will always ‘lean towards the light.’ So, the plants, though rooted into the ground are responding to changes in their environment. According to Journey North, there is a chemical called auxin inside of plants that allows the plant to regulate it shoot growth. In this way, plants’ auxin levels are generally spread throughout the plant, however in the case of light variations, the auxin on the sunny side of the plant is broken down and sent to the part of the plant being shaded, allowing the plant to grow longer stems in that area. Those longer stems allow the plants to ‘lean’ towards the light. The process is referred to as phototropism. If the plant or tree has fallen over, the principle remains that the plant or tree will still ‘lean towards the light.’ This phenomenon amazes me, makes me wonder, and draw on it to form connections between plants and people.

When I think of light, I think of the thing that shines, guides or leads. The lighthouse out in the middle of the water, is a beacon for seafarers and ship captains and sailors to safely make their way back to the shore. The small match in the middle of a forest at night dispels the darkness. A flashlight or a candle aids us all in the event of power outages or brown-outs. How much more might we, as individuals be a light, or the light for someone else? Who is leaning towards you? Are you shining as a beacon of hope and encouragement during tumultuous times? How can you be a light in times of darkness and uncertainty? Can be by lending you ear? What about offering a bottle of water? Is it possible that people just need to feel cared for, and even if you may not be able to deliver a hug, you find a way to be a bridge over troubled waters?

As an educator of 14 years, one thing I can say with 100% certainty, is that teachers always have been and likely will continue to be much more than someone who siphons out content. In fact, students come to us, in many cases, needing more than curriculum. It makes you wonder why curriculum seems to be so much more important than the human part, social-emotional learning, life skills and the like. It sounds very backwards to me. Yet there are so many ills in the world that could be altered if we turned on the light. What if the light influenced the degree to which learning could be augmented, deeper and more effective? I firmly believe that we have the potential to be lights, lights that encourage, guide, instruct, give hope and give love. Maybe it isn’t a visible light, maybe its a glow that you have that people are drawn to. Maybe it’s the way in which you incline your ear, listening so intently and talking so little.

How would things in our spaces and places change if we knew that there were those leaning, like plants, trying to find a light? A light that they can develop from. A light that they can produce from. A light that they can strengthen from. A light that they can glean from so that they even become a conduit for others plants (people) to grow. If they leaned in your direction, would they receive nutrient-rich light? And…maybe we as lights, can also lean toward others who, can encourage us in times of challenge..to show us all that ‘leaning towards the light’ is gives us all the strength to keep growing.