What would the bunny do?

Submitted by Everline Jeruto, OSB (she/her), Sisters’ Community

This year, I’ve noticed something strange. 

Bunnies. 

Everywhere. 

I don’t know if they got a group discount on my neighborhood or if Zillow listed our yard as “Ideal Bunny Community,” but they’re multiplying. 

I can’t walk outside without seeing one. 

And here’s the thing – they’re not even trying to hide. 

They’re just sprawled out under bushes like they pay property taxes. 

The other day it was ridiculously hot. I walked outside, and there was one bunny lying under a shrub. 

Not hopping. 

Not eating. 

Not doing bunny things. 

Just…marinating. 

I thought, “Is it okay?” 

So, I walked a little closer. 

The bunny looked at me like I’d just walked into the wrong meeting. 

Its expression practically said, 

“Can I help you?” 

I wanted to reply, “Actually…yes. Could you at least hop once? You’re making your entire species look lazy.” 

Nothing. 

It didn’t even twitch. 

The message was loud and clear: 

“This sounds like a ‘you’ problem.” 

Honestly? 

I respected it. 

That bunny had reached a level of emotional health I can only dream about.

Meanwhile, I’m over here with three reminders on my phone reminding me to look at the other reminders on my phone. 

The bunny? 

Zero notifications. 

Zero deadlines. 

Zero meetings that could’ve been emails. 

It was simply committed to the ministry of horizontal living. 

The more I watched it, the more convinced I became that this bunny had secretly been reading the Rule of St. Benedict. 

Balance. 
Peace. 
Silence. 
No unnecessary drama. 
No falling down internet rabbit holes. 
No checking emails while watching TV 

Just……. rest 

Meanwhile, I’m trying to squeeze, and accomplish everything I’ve have to do today, just in case tomorrow forgets to show up.

The bunny, however, seems to have adopted a different philosophy: 

“If it’s over 90 degrees, I’m closed.” 

Honestly, that’s healthy. 

You know what really amazed me? 

The bunny wasn’t feeling guilty. 

I wish I could say the same. 

I can’t relax without apologizing to myself. 

If I sit down for five minutes, my brain immediately starts yelling: 

“Shouldn’t you be cleaning something?” 

“What about that email?” 

“Remember that thing you forgot three weeks ago?” 

Sometimes I can’t even enjoy a nap. 

I wake up guilty. 

The bunny? 

Not a chance. 

That bunny has never once thought, 

“I really should maximize my potential today.” 

No. 

Its entire life philosophy is basically: 

“Bush. Shade. Vibes.” 

And somehow…it’s thriving. 

I like to imagine St. Benedict sitting beside this bunny. 

Not because the bunny would have profound theological insights. 

Mostly because I think they’d both enjoy the silence. 

Although I can imagine the bunny occasionally looking up and saying, 

“Have you considered…doing less?” 

That’s probably the entire Rule of St. Benedict condensed into one fluffy sentence.

Maybe that’s why I keep watching these little creatures.

They’re preaching without saying a word.

While I’m sprinting through life, convinced everything depends on me, the bunny calmly demonstrates a shocking theological truth: 

The universe does not collapse if I take an afternoon nap. 

Imagine that. 

Too often, my day feels like a subscription service for responsibilities. 

I finish one task. 
Three more arrive. 
I answer one email. 
Seven decide it’s their turn. 
I cross something off my list. 
The list responds by reproducing. 

Meanwhile, under the nearest bush… 

There’s a bunny. 

Completely unconcerned. 

The sunshine is warm. 

The grass smells nice. 

Life is good. 

Who’s really got this figured out? 

I’m starting to think this bunny should become a motivational speaker. 

Actually…no. 

It would never agree to that much work. 

Instead, it’d write a bestseller. 

How to Live Your Best Life: A Bunny’s Guide to Chilling 

Chapter One: Find a bush. 

Chapter Two: Stay there. 

Chapter Three: If someone bothers you, look mildly inconvenienced until they leave. 

Honestly… 

I’d buy two copies. 

One for me. 

One to keep beside my planner as a reminder that life isn’t a competition. 

Because maybe holiness isn’t always about doing more. 

Maybe sometimes it’s about trusting God enough to stop. 

To breathe. 

To rest. 

To let the world keep spinning without my constant supervision. 

So, the next time I start feeling overwhelmed, I hope I’ll remember to ask myself one simple question: 

What would the bunny do? 

I’m pretty sure the answer is: 

“Not whatever you’re doing right now.” 

And honestly… 

I think the bunny might be onto something.