The author, Terry Tempest Williams, reflects on the importance of embracing the natural rhythms of life. She acknowledges that expecting constant high energy can be unrealistic, particularly for women, who she poetically suggests carry the essence of the moon within them. This metaphor highlights the need for understanding and respecting one's own cycles and fluctuations in energy and emotions.

Williams emphasizes being gentle with oneself by recognizing that not every day can be filled with vitality, particularly during the crescent phase of life. She underscores the value of patience and self-acceptance, advocating for a balance between ambition and the natural ebb and flow of one's inner strength.