“Adopt the pace of nature: her secret is patience.” – Ralph Waldo Emerson
I’m sitting in my car, the quiet before the chaos of the day. Work looms ahead, but for now, I’m captivated by an unexpected performance: four squirrels running up and down a tree like they’re auditioning for some woodland circus. I’ve never seen four squirrels together before, and I can’t help but feel like I’ve stumbled upon something rare—a squirrel summit, perhaps.
As I watch them, it hits me how joyful and deliberate their little lives seem. They’re not worrying about politics, debating who’s in office, or stressing over the latest “nut shortage” crisis. They’re not looking for handouts from the deer or side-eyeing the birds. These squirrels, from what I can tell through my very human lens, have their act together. They’ve stored up for the winter. They’re handling their business.
I wonder where they learn it—this squirrel wisdom. Who teaches them to hustle during the good seasons and squirrel away (pun intended) for the tough ones? They seem to understand delayed gratification in a way that so many humans struggle with. They hurry to gather food and know exactly where to find it when the time comes. It’s as though they’re guided by an inner compass, a sense of purpose that doesn’t require endless to-do lists or goal-setting apps.
And yet, they seem completely unbothered by the birds flitting around them. The squirrels don’t waste time competing with or comparing themselves to the sparrows and robins. They know their purpose, and right now, it’s about the chase. The thrill of running up and down the tree, tails twitching, feet scurrying—it’s work and play seamlessly rolled into one.
Meanwhile, I sip my tea and wonder: how do I tap into that kind of clarity and focus? Squirrels don’t get lost overthinking their purpose or worrying about whether they’re doing it “right.” They just do. They trust that the work they put in today will sustain them tomorrow, that the food they buried will still be there when they need it. They know their role in the grand design, even if they don’t consciously think about it the way I do.
For now, I’ll just sit here a little longer, soaking up this quiet reminder to live with purpose but also with ease. To chase what matters and let go of what doesn’t. It turns out, squirrels make pretty good life coaches. Who knew?
I really enjoyed this article. As I’ve gotten old, I’ve become more aware of nature.
Jamie, thanks for reading the article and sharing your thoughts. I feel the same. Nature has a way of calming me down.