I think we can learn something from the hard working spider.
-Perserverance and Patience. A spider's web may get destroyed each day, but that doesn't stop them from getting right back to work and building a new web, sometimes in the exact same spot. We have a giant spider outside our bedroom window who built the same size web again after the first one was destroyed. (Much to my dismay, because it blocks my view of the backyard. A half-eaten fly carcass is not what I want to see first thing in the morning.) They don't exactly have a choice - spinning a web is the only way for them to catch dinner, but we can still follow their example. Whether it is struggling through a tricky knitting or sewing pattern, dealing with a cranky child, or working through a difficult relationship issue, we should remember to have patience, not get frustrated, and to keep the goal in mind.
-Finding beauty in our work. Not that the spider is taking time to admire his web, but you get the point. We shouldn't only admire what others call "works of art". We should admire the beauty in our daily lives. Cleaning the bathroom is not fun, but I sure enjoy seeing the white porcelain shine. Providing three meals every day might sometimes seem like a chore, but you can enjoy the bright colors of the fresh vegetables, enhale the aromas of freshly ground spices, and arrange the food on the plate in a pleasing way. Yes, within mere seconds it might get smeared onto the high chair tray and smashed into small chubby fists, but for a couple of moments, you had created a work of art.
Even though I am not very fond of the actual spider, I am really enjoying seeing the amazing webs that they weave. Most spiders that we see in our gardens that make webs like in these photos are orb weaver spiders. This website has some interesting information about them. (And not too many scary photos.)
-