What Nature and Aristotle Can Teach Us About Living Well
Nature does not hurry, yet everything is accomplished
Lao Tzu
As we move into June, nature is in full expansion mode. Fruit trees have turned from blossoms into the early fruiting stage, gardens are bursting with flowers, and the longest days of the year fill the landscape with warmth and light. The Summer Solstice on the 21st June is nature’s turning point and the yearly equivalent to the Full Moon.
Everything around us appears to be growing in abundance. But have you noticed that nature never rushes anything? Every process follows its own timing. A rose does not try to bloom before its time (unless it is artificially forced). An oak tree does not compare itself to the flowers growing beneath it. Every living thing follows its own rhythm and unfolds according to its own nature.
More than 2,300 years ago, the Greek philosopher Aristotle observed that every living organism has a natural purpose and reaches fulfilment by becoming the best version of itself in its own time. Aristotle called this state Eudaimonia, often translated as “happiness ” or “living well.”
Interestingly, he did not define success through wealth, status, or possessions. Instead, he believed a good life was achieved by developing our character, making wise choices, and living in harmony with the natural order of the world. How we humans fit into the larger macro-organism is something we have often discussed here at Living With the Moon, as we are, of course, all interlinked. It seems we have come full circle with the Ancient Greek philosophy, and Aristotle’s teachings resonate again with the 21st-century world.
Nature Never Hurries
Modern life often feels like a rat race. We are encouraged to do more, achieve more, and constantly compare ourselves to others. Social media makes it appear that everyone else is moving faster and accomplishing more.
Nature teaches us a very different lesson: Growth happens gradually, seeds spend weeks developing roots before any visible signs appear above the soil. Trees may take decades before they reach their full height. Even the Moon grows steadily from New Moon to Full Moon, never rushing a single phase or jumping ahead.
Progress is rarely dramatic. More often, it is the result of small daily actions repeated consistently over time. We are, after all, the sum of all our actions, from the smallest to the largest.
Aristotle’s ‘Golden Middle Way’
One of Aristotle’s most famous teachings was the concept of the “Golden Mean.”
He observed that most virtues exist between two extremes.
Courage lies between recklessness and fear.
Generosity lies between wastefulness and stinginess.
Confidence lies between arrogance and self-doubt.
He was not the first or last philosopher to concern himself with this thought. ‘The Golden Middle Way’ was described by Socrates ‘ Avoid any extremes on either side, as far as possible’ and Plato, ” Nothing in excess,” were all discussed in Ancient Greece. Buddha and Confucius both taught that excess is similar to deficiency, and we should aim for the middle.
We can therefore conclude that wellbeing comes from balance, and this principle sits at the heart of the Living With The Moon philosophy.
Let’s look at Nature, our greatest teacher: You will find a very balanced approach when you step back and look at the bigger picture. In June in the Northern hemisphere, days are longer and nights are shorter. This could be perceived as an imbalance, but over the year, it all balances out again. The same happens to the Waxing and Waning Moon.
So try to keep a balance with your actions when it comes to:
- Activity and rest
- Growth and retreat
- Giving and receiving
When we constantly push without allowing time for rest and reflection, we eventually become exhausted. When we retreat too much, opportunities pass us by.The art is finding the right balance that allows us to flourish, but without going beyond our limits.
What Stage of Growth Are You In?
When we look at nature, we realise that growth occurs in stages. The same is true for our lives.
What stage are you in?
Compare life goals to a garden:
1 Seed Stage → New ideas and plans
2. Root Stage → Building foundations
3 Growth Stage → Consistent action
4 Flowering Stage → Visibility and success
5 Harvest Stage → Results and reward
Some areas in your life may still be in the seed stage, whereas others are ready to flower, and hopefully some are approaching harvest time.
Aristotle believed that fulfilment comes not from comparing our journey to someone else’s, but from fully developing our own potential.
Ask yourself:
- What area of my life is currently growing?
- What requires patience rather than force?
- What foundations need strengthening?
- What is ready to bloom?
The answers may surprise you.
The Whole Is Greater Than the Sum of Its Parts
This is one of Aristotle’s most famous observations, and we have taken this principle to form the foundation of our LWTM Holistic Life Planning approach. Everything is connected, and if planned correctly and coherently, it all travels in the same direction.
That’s why it’s important to pay attention to different areas of your life: your body/health/your home and environment/your relationships/your career and vocation, and finally your happiness and spiritual fulfilment.
True wellbeing emerges when the different aspects of your life work together in harmony, just as a healthy ecosystem depends upon the balance of many interconnected parts.
Steady growth
As we approach the Summer Solstice and the peak of light in the Northern Hemisphere, June asks us to focus on growth—but not growth at any cost. Instead, it invites us to cultivate balanced growth and nurture what matters most. Grow steadily and trust the natural timing for things to come into your life. Don’t try to force it; it never works.
Remember: a meaningful life is not built through constant striving, but through small, intentional actions aligned with our values and deeper purpose.
Aristotle believed wisdom begins with observation. So go into nature and observe the trees, the birds, the clouds, and the changing light. Nature remains one of our greatest teachers. All we need to do is open our eyes, let it sink in, and follow the guidance to a balanced and happy life
