Slower October

You will find me in your garden but I’m not grass
I move slowly (1 metre per hour) but I’m not a sloth
I have a shell but I’m not an egg
I leave a shiny trail but I’m not a slug
What Am I?
I am small but I am not weak (I can lift up to 10 times my body weight)
I am a creature of perseverance and resilience
I am slow and mellow, present in the moment
I am the humble snail

With the abundance of rain we enjoyed this summer you will surely have come across these gastropods or at least the glittering trail they leave as evidence of their nocturnal activities. You might not have noticed their 14,000 microscopic teeth but you will certainly have witnessed how effective they are in devouring anything you are trying to grow in your garden!

As far as I can remember I have always been fascinated by snails. For me, they embody gentleness in how they steadily move their body, their delicate eyes scanning the air and the beauty, harmony and mystery of their spiralling shell.

Life Lessons From a Snail

• In a world continually speeding up, the snail invites us to relish the slow lane and cultivate the virtue of savouring all of life’s precious moments, with gentle yet steady and focused, movements.
• Did you know that snails can sleep for up to three years? Self-care at its best. A big and bold reminder to prioritise our wellbeing. 
• Self-sufficient, they carry their home wherever they go. Similarly our ‘shell’ is our collection of life experiences and knowledge. It grows with us and, we grow with it. 
• Snails leave a silvery path behind them and, so do we. It is our legacy. What gentle trail do you leave for others to follow?

This October, I invite you to poke your head out of the “fast-pace-race” and, like the snail, take the time to contemplate. Move at your own pace. Look after yourself. Carry your shell of wisdom with awareness. Intentionally leave your mark and dare to be the change you want to see in your organisation, family, community and life!

Mathilde Barbier