Sometimes when I’m out for a walk in the woods with Koda, I see a box turtle trudging forward through the leaves. Don’t you love turtles?
I was always taught that if you see any turtles in the middle of the road, you should try to stop and put them on the side of the road where they’re headed. You must also pick them up carefully and try not to handle them too much. You can use a t-shirt or towel to lift and move them away from the traffic.
As I watched this turtle during my walk, I thought about how connected we are to these amazing creatures and how many lessons they can teach us. Here are a few that came to mind.
- Slow down and live in the present moment. Turtles are never in a hurry and take their time to get where they’re going. They remind us not to rush, but to appreciate all of the beauty and blessings that surround us.
- Embrace your resilience and uniqueness. Turtles are encased in a very sturdy and ornate shell that’s actually part of their skeletal system. These shells not only provide them with protection, but also include specific markings that identify each turtle’s lineage. They teach us to celebrate the unique soul that we are. But more than that, turtles remind us that no matter what happens in our lives, we can handle it all because the Universe has got our back!
- Listen to your intuition. Turtles may take their time, but they have sharp senses and always find the way to their destination—even if it’s many miles away. They teach us to be mindful of our intuitive abilities and be open to the messages they bring us. Our soul will always lead us in the direction we were meant to follow.
Speaking of direction, if you see a turtle in the road, remember to help them back to the same direction where they’re headed. If you place them back to where they were coming from, they may look up at you as if they’re saying: “Thanks Pal. Now I have to start all over again!