Do you ever feel like the progress you’re making towards a goal is much too slow?
It is such a frustrating feeling.
I’ve had several conversations with friends and family this week about that very thing.
When we’re in the midst of a journey, especially one we didn’t choose for ourselves; it can feel painfully, frustratingly slow as we take the steps to move ourselves forward.
The key here, is directing our energy into taking those crucial steps.
However slow, however difficult, we just keep making an effort to move in the direction of our happiness and well being.
Like this little praying mantis I spotted while watering this morning.
The sun was growing hotter by the minute, and he wanted to get into the safety and shade of the pot.
Every step was extremely slow and careful.
Can you imagine how challenging it must be to coordinate such an awkward and intricate body?
But he kept climbing. Even as he was aware of me watching him, and the concern that must have caused for him.
He kept moving upwards until he disappeared under the tangle of vines into moist shade.
And he succeeded.
I hope he was richly rewarded with a constant parade of mosquitoes and other little delicacies to feed on today.
When is our life not a constant series of challenges? Some we choose for ourselves, others find us.
How we make the journey defines the quality of our life and the joy of our relationships.
Virginia Creeper
“If you fuel your journey on the opinions of others,
you are going to run out of gas.”
Steve Maraboli
But journey we must.
And each day of our lives allows us to make a little progress forward towards our own fulfillment and happiness.
I hope the journey has been good to you today, and that you have found the energy to keep on moving forward.
“It is good to have an end to journey toward;
but it is the journey that matters, in the end.”
Ernest Hemingway
Words and Photos by Woodland Gnome 2014
“Not all those who wander are lost.”
J.R.R. Tolkien
Forest Garden 
I love praying mantids, though I seldom see them here. Ours are all green, so very well camouflaged. This one seems to be missing a left fore-leg segment. Battle-scarred. Aren’t we all?
I love your relating her slow progress to our own – ultimately making our way to our goals step by step, aided by ‘praying’ 😉
🙂 you are so right, Eliza. I hadn’t noticed the missing foreleg. You are very observant. This one is partly green. Is this one of those animals that changes color to camouflage itself? We’ve seen green ones in other areas of the garden this summer. Best wishes, WG
Your question sent me to http://bugguide.net/node/view/12409
Non-native, introduced in 1896, outcompetes native mantids 😦 Oh, well, what else is new?
Yours is male, the all-green is female. Maybe your damaged guy escaped a female, they kill and eat their mates after breeding. Yikes! 😉
Thank you, Eliza! Great to know! That must be why he was seeking a place to hide 😉
I suspect if a person reading your blog entered in an unhappy frame of mind… he or she would exit your blog in a much happier/positive mood after reading posts like this one.
Very lovely ❤
What a lovely thing to say, and I hope it proves true for those who need it. Thank you. But then, there are days when we all need a little encouragement and an encounter with something beautiful 😉 Best wishes, WG
Great post! And what a lovely praying mantis!
Thank you, Becca. He is a real beauty, , and I was thrilled to find him this morning. We’ve had some great insects around here during the last week or so. Hope you’re well, WG
I love seeing the praying mantis, they are cool! Love your pictures. Seems like almost everything in my life is a challenge right now!
Yes, I know the feeling. I was thinking of a close relative recovering from a health issue in writing that. I hope your challenges are approachable, and that you will prevail 😉 Hugs, WG (thanks for the fix on the name… senior moment…)