5 Things a Slug Taught Me About Business + Life

The Odd Truth About What’s REALLY Required in an Unstoppable Business (Hold the Salt!)

It was midnight on Saturday.

My new mastermind had just spent the past 3 days cracking ourselves open, upleveling our lives, and launching bigger, better business plans for the months ahead.

I stood, holding hands, with 3 power-house woman around a fire pit – watching the last bits of our former “Limitations” – thoughtfully scribbled onto various pieces of paper and post-it notes – sizzle and smolder into small streamers of smoke. Then disappearing into the ink black sky.

All the while a large, wet slug slowly inched its way across the shadowy, circular pit.

We had just finished spending a long weekend together – stretching, growing, and letting the old fall away to make room for the new.

As we each declared our new life; possibilities; vision; truth — the slug kept silent watch at our feet.

Little did we realize the wisdom slithering right before our eyes (and toes).

That slimy little slug was there to remind us a thing or two about the women we are becoming . . .

As we reverently walked back into the house, one of the women whispered: “We should look up the symbolic meaning of the slug . . . “

(And as she said those words, a chill went up my spine. )

Scurrying inside the cabin to crack open our patiently-waiting bottle of celebratory bubbly (to toast our mind-blowing weekend), I quickly grabbed my iPad to look up: “Slug as totem animal”…

Now, I’m not the new kid on the “woo-woo” block: I’ve come to realize that most unassuming things are often messengers in disguise. And as I read the description, I knew that this was most DEFINITELY 1 of those times.

Without even realizing it, we four had just spent the weekend becoming divinely “slug-like”…

Here’s what the description said:

1. Slugs are so strong they don’t need a SHELL.

Like us, slugs have a natural resolve that doesn’t require a hard, crusty outer layer. They do the best when they are bare, soft and fluid.

So whenever you find yourself hunkered down in your own hard, energetic shell: think twice!

You are the strongest when you can stand raw out in the world, and be so full and whole and complete inside that nothing on the outside could ever penetrate your inner peace.

You are, in fact, the WEAKEST when you’re: defending, explaining or protecting your heart in any way, shape or form.

The name of the game is to find, and embrace, your true INNER strength — and let the outer crust simply fall away.

2. Their slimy outsides help them stick to what’s important (and release the rest).

Slugs can cling upside-down effortlessly onto any ol’ smooth surface.

They have staying power – with the ability to hold on when it’s important.

But they also have a graceful ease for sluffing off what no longer works. Dirt, gunk and other icky, goey materials just slide right off them as they slither on by…

They let go. They don’t cling. The release the past. Easily, effortlessly, often.

We could all use a dose of that skill, am I right?

3. Every slug is both male AND female.

That means that they can mate with any other slug. Anywhere. Anytime.

They are Mother Nature’s perfect combination of divine balance at it’s best — the soulful split between the powers of masculine AND feminine forces.

And I believe that we’re all headed in that same direction too.

You’re being called into a yin-yang mix of both HEALTHY feminine, and HEALTHY masculine. (Not the out-o-whack wonkiness of how most humans have been acting for the past countless centuries).

To express the healthy side of your feminine nature requires you to be grounded, present, creative, and willing to serve others with unshakeable love, tenderness, and compassion.

That may mean dancing naked; having a baby; painting; talking to angels; feeling every tingling sensation within your body; expressing your sensuality; living with immense pleasure; embracing joy; and loving every soul on the planet, unconditionally.

And to express your healthy masculine requires you to go out into the world, trail-blaze bold new pathways, and stand strong for what you believe.

That may look like: standing out; speaking up; taking risks; sticking up for others; embracing fearless leaps of faith; not backing down from your convictions; doing what you KNOW is “right” (no matter the cost); breaking the rules; and shaking up the status-quo.

4. Slugs THRIVE – even though they are slow-as-snot.

Yup. The good ol’ slug has cracked the code: It’s discovered that a slow and steady pace does NOT equal = disaster.

Yet “GO GO GO! MORE MORE MORE!! FASTER FASTER FASTER!!!!” seems to be the mantra for the millennium.

But it’s a suck-balls mantra, at best.

But funny thing is: I’ve never once gotten my most-brilliant thoughts while racing around like a wackadoodle.

I’ve yet to get inspired with greatness while running myself ragged.

And I’ve not one time felt the divine hand of the Universe working through me when I’m in my head, feeling exhausted, and freakin’ out about the future.

So to hell with working harder/longer/faster/more! Here’s to slow, joyous, fantastically fun… and every thing else delectable in between.

5. Slugs can fertilize their OWN EGGS!

I know: Shut-the-front-door, right?

But apparently it’s true…

They’ve got the ability to generate the Miracle-of-Life all by their lonesomes.

Hmm…. Sound like anyone YOU know?

(Don’t make me smack you if you’re not nodding your head, saying: “ME!!!!)

You and I have the rare ability here on planet Earth to imagine any ol’ wonderful thing we’d like – and then have the ability and wherewithal to turn that bad-boy into a real-life reality.

It’s one of the perks of being YOU – one of the traits that will likely bring you some of the most fulfillment, meaning and passion throughout this lifetime.

So what creative baby do you LONG to give birth to?

And are you giving birth to those inner miracle babies on a regular rockin’ basis?

(Hope so.)

So seriously – could there have been a better totem animal for weekend transformation-extravaganza?

I think not.

— So maybe it’s time to drop your defenses, stop worrying about what others think about you, and just stay focused on what lights you up and lifts your Spirit?

— Or maybe you’re ready for a big, whoppin’ dose of healthy feminine firepower – relying more on your intuition, compassion and creativity to move you through life?

— And perhaps you’re just needing that reminder to chill out. Slow down. Trust life. And go with the flow a bit more?

Whatever it is, set it as your intention for the next week (and beyond) until you’ve got it emblazoned in your very BONES!

And know I’m in the process with you. You’re not alone. We’re all in this together.

Here’s to another Unstoppable week, Most Beautiful One!

Love comin’ attcha –

Stephanie