Slowing Down

All this hurrying soon will be over.

Only when we tarry do we touch the holy.

-Rainer Maria Rilke

Even the bugs are slowing down in anticipation of winter.

I knew that some insects produce a natural “antifreeze” to survive the freezing temperatures (some can survive temperatures as extreme as -20 degrees Celsius!). What I didn’t know is that the chemical some insects produce- propylene glycol- is used as a “green” antifreeze for cars! Fascinating, right?

The fact that insects- such simple, multitudinous, seemingly insignificant things- have such a complex survival mechanism in place, gives me peace, in a way.

I have to believe that whatever hardships loom on the horizon, somehow everything will be taken care of. I refuse to constantly worry- worrying, after all, being a kind of prayer.

Someone, something, has ensured that the will and the means to survive resides within us all. Dig deep. We will make it through the long winter.

Who speaks of victory?

To endure is everything.

-Rilke