A Sure and Certain Grace

A sure and certain grace: 

there's a sure and certain grace to turtles, perhaps not evident in a glance and quick consideration, but it's seen in their deliberate pace, how they're determined to reach their destination no matter how far or however long takes. I mostly catch sight of them on my later morning walks, warmer then, and they find that perfect spot of sun as it hits the pond, resting on whatever rock or broken off tree branch that offers a temporary shore for their basking in this light. It really seems a moment of deep meditation, absorbed in sunlight, their necks extended to reach every bit of warmth, and a stillness that seems to reach outwards, giving a pause to my quicker pace around the pond, my heart rate immediately slowed in appreciation for my own moment of warmth and sunlight and the grace these turtles offer. 

turtles are famously a long lived species, with different age spans for each type, but it's generally true that they will live for decades barring accident or other issues that happen in the wild. And turtles are wild, essential to the ecosystem where they're found, and they're deliberate pace often causing us to view them as objects to pick up, posing with them for a quick photo, or even taking them home for pets. Turtles belong exactly where they are, and with the exception of moving them from danger, are best appreciated where they're found. 

to even write of turtles slows my own pace of thoughts and typing, I find myself more deliberate with the words I choose, more time spent in the length of every pause, restful in the moment. That's what turtles teach me, how to live my life through the natural pace it offers, pausing for those points of magic found in warmth and sunlight, and that I have my own sure and certain grace. 

turtles show me the true and fine art of deliberation, not lost in thought or devoid of action, but purposeful to each moment, attuned to what it offers and matching my response. Perhaps it's this artful deliberation that causes such long life, or maybe the years themselves are less important than the qualities that our moments offer, the experience of simply being aware and appreciative that it's so. 

there is a sure and certain grace to turtles...

and through this I find my reflection offered in return.

~

Peace, Eric