a lesson from a turtle

“Adopt the pace of nature:  her secret is patience.” ~Ralph Waldo Emerson

If you have ever taken the time to watch a turtle walk, you know they move at a slow pace.  I think we all could learn something from turtles...slow down.

Last week I was on my way to an appointment.  I noticed something in the middle of the road.  At first I couldn’t make out what it was, but I could see that it was moving ever so slightly.  As I got closer, I realized it was a turtle making it’s way slowly across the busy road.

I panicked.  What do I do?  If I just drive by, it will surely get hit.  I couldn’t allow that to happen.  I had to do something.  So I stopped my car and got out, causing every car behind me to stop.  I was afraid to pick up the turtle--having never handled one, I was scared I would hurt it or something--so instead, I started to talk to the turtle.  I bent down and asked the little guy to move.

Well, you can imagine what the people in the growing traffic jam thought about the stupid girl talking to a turtle in the middle of the road.  People were honking, sticking their heads out the window, and probably muttering profanities because they would be 30 seconds late to wherever they were headed.

Have some patience people!  I’m trying to save a turtle!

Finally, the little guy turned around and started to slowly walk back toward the side of the road where he had come from.  As soon as he was safe, I got back in my car and drove off.

Later on that afternoon, as I was thinking about the little turtle, I was sad to think about the idea of what would have happened if I hadn’t stopped.  Many people are in such a hurry that they would have just kept driving.  Some may not have even had the patience to put on the breaks or try to avoid whatever creature happened to be crossing the road.  Where is the compassion for animals?  Big or small, they are alive and deserve our love and respect.  

So often we rush through life, whether we are late for a meeting or have such a busy schedule that we have no time to relax and enjoy.  If we all just try and slow down, even just a little bit, maybe we can see the beauty all around us and appreciate the simple things in life...even in the tiny turtle venturing across a busy road.

Namaste