Snails

So…

I believe it was last Thursday, my head was acting a little weird… but I kind of liked it. I was seeing things from different points of views and walking around in a fuzz all day.

I got home and started walking towards the front door to go inside because.. well thats what you do when you get home. And I almost made it to the door, but then I looked down at the ground and I saw a snail sliding along the garden hose that was wound in a circle. Now, a normal person probably wouldnt even think twice and continue along their way, but I havent seen very many snails in my life, growing up in the desert and all. So what do I do? I just plop myself down on the concrete and sit Indian style staring at it. I was mesmerized by this little tiny snail. I probably sat there for about 15 minutes just looking at it slide along. At one point I moved the hose and the the snail feeling the hose shake slowly went back into it’s shell. It was the neatest looking thing ever.

And then I realized…

In order for that snail to go anywhere it had to come out of its shell. Before it could travel along it had to take a risk and expose its soft slimy skin to the world around it.

After a couple minutes the snail came back out and started back on the same path it was taking before.

And then I thought. The snail is so much safer inside his shell, he could stay in his shell and he’d never have to worry about the dangers around him. But he doesnt. Every night he comes out of his shell and travels along. Does he even know where he is going? Does he care where he’s going? Why is he comming back out of his shell? It’s so dangerous! At any moment a bird could swoop down and eat him. I could step on him and crush him. But as sat there tranced by the snail slithering along, I realized this snail  is 100 times braver than I am. He lives by slithering along in my front yard.In order to get anywhere he has to expose his most vulurable parts to world. It may not look like he’s making any progress, but slowly he is, and its a heck of a lot better than staying in his shell 24/7 and not going anywhere… right? Does it matter where he’s going? No, all that matters is that he is going somewhere, is that he is taking a risk and living.

I live day to day in my shell, I dont let anyone come in, and I dont really come out for anything. I protect myself from people hurting me… but am I really living? Am I making any progress. Am I only going to get somewhere when I finally make myself vulnerable?

I mentioned some of this to the lady I live with and her response was “Well thank the Lord I’m not a snail!”

Yeah we’re not snails, but have so much more respect for them now. They’re pretty brave if you ask me.

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~ by HipLilFrog on December 9, 2008.