The Wisdom of the Swan

Nature is always communicating with us.

We are creatures of this vast and interconnected ecosystem , and when we slow down enough to notice, the external chaos softens, and what rises up in its place is tenderness, understanding, the sound of our own true voice.

Nature can help us step back, take in the bigger picture and understand who we are and how we navigate a changing landscape with more clarity, grace, and depth.

For example:

On our morning walk, my son and I saw a pair of swans in the middle of a flock of geese. This really isn’t that unusual - swans and geese sometimes migrate together - but this isn’t something I’ve ever witnessed before and seeing a swan at all where I live is rare.

This felt like one of those moments -

If I reach out, something meaningful might reach back.

I researched swans, then let my findings and observations mull around a bit while sketching. And in the process, I discovered a gift of encouragement for how to navigate the current of change, both in my own life now and in the landscape of the world today.

Swans move gracefully over the waves with softness and dignity.

They appear unbothered and serene.

Yet when threatened, a fierceness is born.

They open their massive wings and bat the danger tirelessly away. They don’t flee, don’t harm unless absolutely necessary, but instead, bellow loudly with both body and voice -

"You will not harm what I protect."

And then, when the threat dissipates, the fierceness fades, and that dignified air of soft grace returns.

And so, the swan asks of me,

Asks of us all:

Can you trust yourself so deeply that you float softly and gracefully over the waves of change?

Can you let go of what must be released with dignity?

And are you strong enough, rooted enough, embodied enough, bold enough to use your voice, your whole being, to protect what truly matters?

To stand up for yourself and others?

To refuse to surrender softness and dignity in the face of oppression and return again and again to grace?

Swan’s message is welcome in this season of burning. I'm watching everything I know crumble as I enter a new season in my own life while simultaneously watching so many beautiful people face darkness and tragedy as the world we once believed in bleeds slowly into something else.

In these moments of heartbreak, loss, and uncertainty, the swan reminds me to land in softness after the rise and fall of each wave.

In our softness, we find the strength necessary to fight for all that is good and beautiful in the world.

And when the threat dissipates, we gently thaw again into grace.

Grace for ourselves and others.

Grace for shaky hands building new beginnings.

Grace as we ride the waves that come and go.

Through grace, softness, and dignity worth fighting for, for all,

we float on.