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 to reveal tenderness, understanding, and the sound of our own true voice.

Nature can help us step back, take in the bigger picture and understand who we are in 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 leaned in, nature might reveal a clue.

I researched swans, then let my findings mull around 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 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 life while simultaneously watching the world crack and crumble for so many beautiful people who dare to reach for dignity, safety, authenticity, and truth.

In these moments of heartbreak, loss, and uncertainty, the swan reminds me not to fight the waves, but to let them lift me, change me, guide me forward, and to land in softness when they inevitably fall.

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 let the good and beautiful gently thaw our bruised hearts into grace.

Grace for ourselves and others.

Grace for shaky hands building new beginnings.

Grace as we ride the waves that come and go.

From grace and softness to fierce unwavering courage, we float on.

This isn't to be mistaken for perfection, unfeeling, performance, or apathy. Quite the opposite. The swan's message to me is an invitation - to root so deeply into authenticity, kindness, and truth that the waves of change and grief liberate us in mind and heart - to choose softness again and again in a world that tries to turn us to stone.