Part I: Introduction
I want to love the things
as no one has thought to love them
~ Rainer Marie Rilke
Full Moon Tea for May 12th:
Oat (Avena sativa)
Chickweed (Stellaria media)
Strawberry (Fragaria spp.)
The smallest things make the greatest difference. The entire world hinges upon the subtle and the unseen. The movement of microorganisms, the flight of pollen, the circulation of blood cells, the secret flow of water under tree skin — such infinitesimal workings are vital to all of life.
I’ve been noticing more of the small and the subtle recently, finding it to be a good counterbalance to focusing and fretting over the immense problems of the world. I was prompted to share more attentiveness — and love — towards tininess when a lovely, long legged house spider made her residence in the upper corner of my shower. Whenever the water ran hot and the steam beaded up on the walls I would watch her inch down and delicately put her slender arms into the droplets. She carefully brought them to her mouth and drank the humid mist. I knew her only for a week or so before she disappeared, but I think of her still, and of her quiet life in the shower. I think of how thoughtfully she chose her home in order to be able to drink from one droplet at a time. The smallest particle of water clinging to the wall made all the difference to her singular life. A droplet sustained her, and I — watching her — was likewise sustained by the tiny life I witnessed.
We are sometimes fooled into thinking that powerful, big lives and great, sweeping actions have more value and meaning than that which is more imperceptible. Grandness has its place, of course, but it doesn’t preclude the minuscule, every day wonders that are hidden in plain sight.
Because we seem to be living in such catastrophic times, I often find myself having disproportionally big responses to many things. A small problem that touches upon my life can grow into a looming issue in my mind if I’m not aware. A difficulty or a setback — normal occurrences of human living — can appear as massive problems to battle and overcome if I’m not careful.
In the face of challenges or discomfort we can do as the wise spider did — we can position ourselves in places that sustain us, and find nourishment in the tiniest of things. We can take a more subtle approach to life at times, making small changes and small responses that may perhaps grow into something larger.
We can allow the miniscule beauties that come our way to pierce us with wonder, and above all, we can love them “as no one has thought to love them.”
Part II: Contemplation