Thoughts on a spider’s web…

A spider’s web stretched between two low branches in the thick vegetation behind the house. Trees, creepers and flowers grew in thick tangles. This jungle-like growth had never been tamed. The area close to it was mowed to provide a semblance of order. Beyond that, wildlife ruled.

Inexplicable rustles and movement were heard in this thriving ecosystem. Sometimes, a larger animal crashed its way through the woods beyond, screened by the thick green foliage. Birds fussed over their nests and fluttered around, safe from human intrusion. It was here, at the edge of the woods, that a spider’s web sparkled in the morning dew. That sparkle caught my eye. When was the last time you stopped to watch Nature at work as you hurry through life?

“Is there anything in the universe more beautiful and protective than the simple complexity of a spider’s web?” – E.B. White

The large web was constantly disturbed by small birds or other intrusions. One evening, it disappeared altogether. It may have been torn down by another creature or the wind. The spider was at it again the next morning, spinning industriously. This was repeated, with the web being recreated with stoic persistence every time it suffered damage. Do you push on when life does not live up to your expectations or allow it to overwhelm you?

What the spider was doing was not just recreating, but focusing on what it could change – rebuild its home instead of getting intimidated by the damage caused to its web. It seemed to build a little bigger and better with every try. It was persistent. Are you persistent enough to follow your dreams of building a better life?

The spider perched itself strategically in some corner of the web, eyes glinting, and waited for its beautiful home to attract prey. During this time, it was not distracted by any movement. I was fascinated by a pair of brightly colored birds near the web. The spider paid no attention. It was focused on its need: attracting prey. Are you focused on creating a life that serves your needs instead of living a distracted life that offers no fulfillment?

The spider seemed to constantly upgrade its web, making improvements to the design. Science confirms that a spider often upgrades its web design to attract new prey. It keeps practicing, never taking its web-weaving skills for granted. Do you pause to explore how you can upgrade in your life and improve it by making the necessary changes?

“If you always do what you’ve always done, you’ll always be where you’ve always been.” – T.D. Jakes

Above all, a spider flows with life’s current instead of resisting it. Maybe that is why it is able to produce better designs every day. Do you embrace life or resist it?