The steadiness of the natural world

There is something so reassuring about the inevitability and certainty of the creatures we share of daily lives with. No matter what may have happened in the supermarket queue, the traffic jam, the heated work meetings, the laundry miss-hap, the teenage roller coaster of emotions- the birds and the bees…. And the insects and the blossoms… continue faithfully and doggedly and with utter certainty on their path. 

I was reminded of this as I took an early evening walk and just out of the corner of my eye as I stepped I noticed a large, plump- fairly speedy - caterpillar 🐛, looking very busy indeed crossing the road. He didn’t even pause as I hastily side stepped him to avoid harming him and just kept on, steadily and purposefully to wherever his destination was. I cannot imagine what tempted him so totally to cross what must be uncomfortable terrain ( bumpy tarmac) to reach a bushel of similar size, light and density - but he knew where his path was taking him. 

I’d like to take a note from his journey- to keep in our sights our goals, dreams and aspirations, and know, however small or insignificant we may feel , we ARE capable of overcoming obstacles and the unknown- even the unwanted, we just have to follow our nose, have a little faith , and be open to the path deviating from where we had pictured, but ultimately reaching the same destination. 

I haven’t felt 100% the last few days, and I can’t put my finger on it but I’ve endeavoured to  tune into my needs and my body and slow down a little.  Take a shorter, gentler walking route, prepare a simpler meal, glad that class in order to get into bed that much earlier. While I soak by candle light as the evening lights faded to a twinkling sky, the crickets start their ‘day’ and the stream trickles on, the birds have roosted and are ready for a new day - so too am I. An early walk and catch up with a friend will begin my Sunday and that thought alone calms me and helps me slow a little, breathe a little deeper, and savor THIS moment, as it won’t come again- similar, but not the exact same. The rhythm of nature will carry us forth into another day, a new week and endless possibilities.