2026.08.14
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness. ~ Galatians 5:22
I fell in love with the snails on Iona. I have no idea why, except that they were everywhere: on the side of the road, clinging to single blades of grass, braving the tides on beaches, and even as a mural on the one-room Iona Elementary School.
I collected their shells and took pictures of them as they were about their day. Who knew what pleasure there was in watching snails slowly making their way from one place to another. The colors and spiral shape reminded me of labyrinths: one way into the center and one way out.
I researched the lessons I might learn from snails. They travel light, carrying just what they need. They have a safe inner space and know how to retreat when necessary. Their shells are protective and set boundaries. They remind us to slow down and trust the journey. Their deliberate, unhurried movement teaches that meaningful progress often comes from persistence, not speed. Perhaps they captured my attention because they are lessons I need to learn.
One afternoon we wrote haiku about our experiences on Iona. Below are two I wrote about snails. ~ Anne
Haiku 1
labyrinth shell
body slithers out
slowly going
Haiku 2
inattentive anne
step, crunch, oops
smooshed snail
Wayfinding 