The Bear, the Rat, and the Bird / Wisdom from the Winter Stream

Given our proximity to NYC’s hustle and bustle, I always love seeing deer, foxes, and other wildlife as I walk our neighborhood. Legend has it that a wise bear wandered by a town stream that flows into the Hudson River one crisp late autumn afternoon.

As the water flowed, carrying the last leaves of autumn and dancing over rocks that hikers emptied from their backpacks, the Bear sat still at its edge, watching quietly as the current headed downstream. Soon, a Rat scurried up, trying to protect itself from the cold.

“Bear, why are you sitting here? Don’t you know winter is coming! Shouldn’t you be gathering food or building a den?” asked the Rat.

Bear replied, “I am watching the stream to understand it.”

The Rat wrinkled its nose. “Learning? From water? But it’s just water, always rushing forward. What is there to understand?”

Before the Bear could answer, a Bird gracefully swooped down and perched on a maple branch. “Bear always watches the stream,” the Bird said as it balanced above them.

“What do you see this time?” the bird asked.

The Bear gestured to the rushing water. “It reminds me of how life can feel—chaotic, loud, and relentless. But soon, the stream will slow as winter fully arrives. In its surface stillness, it will hold deeply all it needs. It will patiently wait for the warmth of the sun to return—it will not rush or resist.

The Rat shook its head. “Stillness is foolish. I can’t stop hustling. If I do, I will die. I’m not like you, Bear. I can’t just sit here.”

The Bird cocked its head. “But stillness isn’t about doing nothing, little Rat. It’s about trusting that some things will take care of themselves. Like the stream, life has its cycles.”

The Rat twitched its whiskers in disgust, unconvinced. “Maybe for you, Bird. You can fly away whenever you like. For me, everything is about survival. There’s only so much that goes around.”

The Bear leaned down and spoke softly. “Rat, you’re resilient. You’ve survived so much because you know how to adapt. But even you need moments to pause—not to stop—but to reflect on where you wish to go. The stream doesn’t forget how to flow; it simply waits until the time is right.”

The Bird chirped, “And from above, I can see what the Bear means. The stream looks different from up high. When it rests, it holds the forest together. It’s not just water—it’s part of something bigger. Just like you, Rat. Just like all of us.”

The Rat looked at the stream again. For the first time, it noticed how the leaves floated quietly in the eddies and how the stream carved the land over time. “Maybe stillness isn’t laziness. Maybe it’s just waiting for the right moment,” it said quietly.

The Bear smiled. “Exactly. We all have our ways of moving through the world. But sometimes, we must rest like the stream, trust in the seasons, and allow life to unfold.”

As the sun dipped below the horizon, the three friends—Bear, Rat, and Bird—sat together watching the stream. The water still danced, but now, each appreciated the stream’s movement in their own way.

This week in the Northern Hemisphere, we welcome winter as the world begins to tilt slowly, providing more daylight each day. Life has thrown a lot our way this year, and like Bear, it’s wise to be still and appreciate our nature.

I invite you to look up at the Moon tonight or, if able, take a hike this week as we approach winter and summer for those in the Southern Hemisphere. Reflect on your nature and how you wish to welcome our new season.

This year, I’ve had the opportunity to partner with several progressive companies, such as JPMorgan, CMI Media, Fingerpaint, and MetLife. These companies see the value in taking moments to Pause, Breathe, and Reflect before rushing forward. Their actions make me optimistic that more companies and people will shift their perspectives and see what Bear shared with Rat.

Until next week, have fun storming the castle!

Happy Early Winter Solstice! ❄️

Michael

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