“The tortoise like other reptiles has an arbitrary stomach as well as lungs and can refrain from eating as well as breathing for a great part of the year.”
White marvels at the extraordinary adaptations that allow animals to survive in nature.
Sometimes, the most profound lessons about survival and strength don't come from the fastest or the loudest creatures, but from those who know how to embrace stillness. This quote by Gilbert White reminds us that the tortoise possesses a remarkable ability to pause, to hold its breath, and to forgo sustenance when the environment isn't quite right. It speaks to a type of resilience that isn't about constant movement or endless consumption, but about the wisdom of knowing when to retreat into oneself and wait for a better season.
In our modern, frantic world, we often feel like we are constantly running out of breath or running out of fuel. We feel pressured to always be 'on,' always consuming information, always achieving, and always moving forward. We treat our energy like an infinite resource, forgetting that even the most resilient among us need periods of dormancy. We mistake stillness for stagnation, when in reality, stillness is often where the most important healing and preparation happen.
I remember a time when I felt completely burnt out, much like a tiny duckling trying to swim against a heavy current. I was trying to do everything at once, responding to every ping on my phone and every demand on my time. I felt hollow, as if my internal reserves were completely depleted. It wasn't until I forced myself to step back, to embrace a period of 'not doing,' that I found my strength again. I had to learn how to breathe deeply and let the world spin without my constant interference, much like that tortoise waiting out the long months.
There is a beautiful dignity in the ability to refrain. When life feels overwhelming or the resources around you feel scarce, remember that you are allowed to pause. You are allowed to conserve your spirit and wait for the warmth of a new season. You don't always have to be consuming or producing to be valuable. Sometimes, simply existing and breathing through the quiet moments is the bravest thing you can do.
As you move through your day, I invite you to look for those moments where you might be able to breathe a little deeper and let go of the need to rush. Is there an area of your life where you could practice a little more restraint or stillness? Take a moment to check in with your own internal rhythm and honor what your soul needs right now.