This morning I was rocking out to some classic music as I shaved, showered, and primped my hair (ha-ha).

I was listening to that legendary album “Elephant” by The White Stripes (wow, has it been 20 years since Jack & Meg White kicked music’s ass with a cheap guitar, a small drum kit, and recording gear that mainly consisted of an eight track tape machine?).

IF for some unknown reason you are not a fan of The White Stripes (heaven forbid) or haven’t heard of them (worse still) you’ve at least heard this anthem that fills stadiums all across the world —

OOOHHH, OH-OH-OH, OH OH….OOOHHH, OH-OH-OH, OH OH….

This chant was inspired by The White Stripes’ song “Seven Nation Army” (that song is on the “Elephant” album).

I digress. Anyway….

The song on the “Elephant” album that actually grabbed my attention this morning was “Little Acorns.”

The song, interestingly enough, starts off with a powerful reflection read by Mort Crim. Mort Crim is an author and former broadcast journalist.

As the song begins Mort recounts a story (in his soothing broadcast voice):

When problems overwhelm us and sadness smothers us, where do we find the will and the courage to continue? Well the answer may come in the caring voice of a friend, a chance encounter with a book, or from a personal faith. For Janet, help came from her faith, but it also came from a squirrel.
Shortly after her divorce, Janet lost her father, then she lost her job, she had mounting money problems. But Janet not only survived, she worked her way out of despondency and now she says, life is good again. How could this happen?
She told me that late one autumn day when she was at her lowest she watched a squirrel storing up nuts for the winter, one at a time it would take them to the nest. And she thought, “If that squirrel can take care of itself with a harsh winter coming on, so can I. Once I broke my problems into small pieces, I was able to carry them, just like those acorns, one at a time.”

Great story!

You see, life can feel overwhelming at times. Problems pile up, anxieties gnaw, and the future appears shrouded in uncertainty. But, just like the squirrel, focused on its wintery needs, we can find strength and guidance in small, deliberate actions.

Breaking down our challenges into manageable tasks, tackling them one by one, is our own form of acorn-gathering. Each completed task, each hurdle overcome, adds to our reservoirs of resilience and confidence.

The squirrel doesn't waste time lamenting a bare winter or wishing for a magical avalanche of acorns. It takes action, its movements efficient and purposeful.

Likewise, we can cultivate a proactive approach. Anticipating difficulties, planning ahead, and building our resourcefulness become invaluable tools.

Just as the squirrel's winter stash ensures its survival, our proactive efforts create a safety net of preparedness, allowing us to face challenges with greater confidence.

"Little Acorns" also reminds us of the importance of perspective. The squirrel doesn't compare its pile of acorns to a hypothetical mountain of nuts. It focuses on the task at hand, appreciating each hard-won acorn.

Similarly, we can find peace and progress in acknowledging our individual journey, celebrating small victories, and appreciating the present moment. Comparing ourselves to others only breeds frustration and hinders our own growth.

So, the next time life throws crap at your feet, take a page from the squirrel's playbook.

Be like the squirrel — Break down your problems, take action, and appreciate the journey. And who knows, you might just surprise yourself with what you can achieve, one small step at a time.

As Jack White sings in "Little Acorns,"

Be like the squirrel, girl…Be like the squirrel…Give it a whirl, girl…Be like the squirrel…

What life lessons can you learn from nature (or a song) today? 🙂