The bravery of a worm

We've been house-sitting for a couple gone to Finland for a year and a half. One of the joys of living here is the closeness to 3 city parks with interconnecting trails. It's so much more inspiring to go for a jog when you merely have to walk down the street. This time of year, the slugs, snails, and worms are in abundance along every cemented pathway. The slugs and snails are the grossest, for sure, but as I passed a worm this morning, I was struck by its courage. Think about it--slugs and snails are thick and gross (at least the ones here); they are obviously avoided by all bikers, walkers, and joggers--no one wants them stuck to their shoes. But the worms of this world? They are tiny in comparison, easy to mistake for a twig, and let's face it, pretty low on the totem pole of the animal kingdom. Anyway, the bravery of the worm. The worm leaves its home in the soil to travel to the other side of the cemented road, big monsters racing past (yes, I'm a jogging beast). It has no idea whether it will make it or not. It just goes for it. Maybe you're thinking that worms don't think at all, that they just act on instinct. Maybe so. But I feel inspired today to be like a worm, to brave new (and old) monsters without worry or fear of being stepped on.