“Not until we are lost, do we find ourselves again”
–Henry David Thoreau
Many of us are familiar with Henry David Thoreau for his infamous publication, Walden and his deliberate intention to live in the woods. More than a woodsman, however, he was also an avid paddler who lived near the confluence of the Concord, Sudbury and Assabet Rivers at Egg Rock, near the Concord, MA, town center.
His first book, A Week on the Concord and Merrimack Rivers, is the story of his paddling adventure with his brother, John. Writing about the Concord River, he noted, “I have read that a descent of an eighth of an inch in a mile is sufficient to produce a flow.”
Surprising that such a trivial change in river descent would be enough to create a flow. Amazing how small, insignificant occurrences create major change.
One eighth of an inch…
The other day, hiking on a sweet little nearby trail, the pond teeming with the harmonious sound of mating frogs, I crossed paths with a soft, brown, furry caterpillar. I watched it inch its way along, soon to cocoon and become a butterfly.
The little caterpillar reminded me of one of nature’s phenomenon called the “butterfly effect”, whereby a tiny, localized change can have large effects elsewhere. Where events in nature, such as a tornado, were influenced by the flapping of a distant butterfly’s wings several weeks earlier. The flap of a butterfly’s wings. A devastating tornado.
Small change. Huge consequences.
We are now on the brink of major, worldwide change caused by something small. The microscopic corona virus. It is nearly incomprehensible to think that a tiny microbe could wreak havoc on the entire world, and interrupt the flow of daily life as we know it. But here we are.
One eighth of an inch…one butterfly…one microbe…
Kayaking has taught me many great lessons over the years. One of them is, that even though I am just one person in a little boat, my thoughts and actions can have a positive impact on a larger scale. I can choose how I respond to events in my life.
It has never felt truer than right now. People are on all sides of the coronavirus issue. How will we each, as individuals, respond to this collective pandemic?
One eighth of an inch…one butterfly…one microbe…one person in a little boat…
We seem to be very lost right now in the shadow of this small microbe. We have been thrust on this journey to find ourselves again, as Thoreau said in the opening quote. If we choose to, we must strengthen our inner tenacity. Self-care can initiate global health. We are all being called not only to dig deep within, but to reach for a higher purpose.
Although times like these are very trying, I believe we have everything within us to get through. Times like these strip everything away except what is essential. Times like these present lessons. There is meaning. There are blessings. And for me, times like these evoke more questions than answers. Questions like:
What does it all mean, for each of us and for humanity?
What does our individual response tell us about the health of our inner landscape?
How well do we know ourselves, when all external distractions are stripped away?
What are we supposed to learn?
Nature is a wonderful teacher. If it only takes an eighth of an inch to create a flow in a river, if it only takes the flap of a tiny, butterflies’ wings to create a windstorm, and if it only takes a tiny microbe to wreak havoc on our planet, then it might only take each one of us to point our little boats in a healthy, positive direction, to have a better outcome for our entire world. The power of ONE.
Come paddlin’ on with me. One eighth of an inch at a time. Let us all begin. With kindness, compassion and a renewed sense of hope.
Within ourselves… And together…
What can you do each day, to calmly navigate these uncharted waters?
What lessons are you learning from your own personal experience?
What are you most grateful for?
