Understanding Word Choice in Context

In the following passage, a character reflects on the relentless march of time and its impact on his life.

“Each morning, I awaken to the same sun that rises with a consistency that is both comforting and unsettling. It casts familiar shadows, highlighting the corners of my life I have come to know well. Yet, as I peer out into the world, I am struck by the realization that while I remain tethered to my routines, everything around me evolves. The vibrant tree outside my window, once a sapling, now towers with a grandeur that makes my heart swell and ache. I sense its wisdom, the silent admonitions whispered by its leaves; they urge me to embrace change, to adapt with grace rather than resist with trepidation.”