The Spider Web Chronicles

It is 3:00 am  on what is now Saturday and sleep doesn't seem anywhere in sight. I find when I am troubled and cannot sleep blogging can be a great bringer of Joy... So, here are some of the thoughts of a sleepless journeyer...

The other day I was at one of my favorite places in the world, Bok Tower Gardens (It is in Florida, and if you haven't been before you much see it). This garden is special to me because of the peace found there and the incredible way this place has played part in my life. I can honestly say this Eden like location has brought me some of my greatest joys. I hope we all have a "greatest joys" sort of place. 

Anyway, I was walking the gardens on my last morning before returning to Colorado a week or so ago. I had my camera in one hand and a journal in the other. This particular trip to Florida left me full of wonder/worry about the future and about the things that are coming next. As I pondered, meditated, and walked, my attention was caught by a hard working spider. Lucky for me I have a strange but awesome mom that taught me to have a love and divinity for spiders. She also helped teach me to see the world in all its depth and meaning. 

As I watched this little spider work to spin her perfect web I became memorized by her quickness, strength, and precision. I mean, have you ever really stopped to watch? If you haven't you must add it to your list of must do's. When she spins her web she never stops, she just keeps moving and working until the job is complete. Not only that but she does it right the first time, she uses a perfection that only nature can obtain. As she finishes she waits for it to become ruined again, then the routine begins again. It seems exhausting but that does not stop her, she knows what the cost is for her to not re-build. I also sense a joy in her work as she fulfills the measure of her creation in her own beautiful way.

As I watched I first thought of the importance of that little web. Spider silk one of the strongest, most light weight, materials in the world. It is also vital to the life of the spider, not only does it act as a "home." It is also the means by which many spiders obtain their food and livelihood. It is no wonder it needs to be perfect and completed quickly. With out her foundation she will not make it long

As I thought deeper on these facts, I thought of how this needs to be applied to my current situation and to the constant battle for a life of joy. I was impressed by our need to be prepared like the spider to rebuild with quickness and precision. The fact of the matter is trials and hard things will hit our fortresses. We must be prepared to build them back in strength. I thought of the many things I can do in my personal life to be quick and ready to rebuild when items come. 

With every bug that flies in or person that walks through in a panic comes another chance to grow, rebuild, and become nourished. Another thought I had in regard to these objects that come into our webs is that there are many that are different, some that nourish, some that do not. Sometimes objects come simply to create frustration and work, a leaf might fall, a stick, a seed... Those things must me dropped quickly and the holes must be fixed. Yet, when dropped quick they offer further strength. Then there are the nourishing bugs that come into our webs, they are there to teach us and help us to continue living. Take from it what you will but I hope that I can take from some of the things that fly into my personal web and drop out the unnecessary items.

Those are just a couple late night (early morning) thoughts. My hope and goal in my personal endeavors is to be adaptable and re-building like my spider friend. So my questions to ponder; 

What can you do to be ready for the ongoing cycle of strong re-building? 

How will you become quick and precise in keeping your foundation firm when ruin comes?

What things in your web do you need to drop out? 

What things in your web are there to nourish you?

Love Y'all! 

Clara-JOY The Rodeo Clown