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Thursday, December 24, 2015

Nature Lessons From The Ant - A Mountain Man's Pondering

Consider the ant: When we are splitting our firewood we occasionally will split a log with ants in it. When their nest is disturbed they don't run around in panic; they immediately organize and collectively gather their eggs and all move to a new location. They don't complain or anguish but they go into action and do not expect someone else to come to their rescue. They move every egg and do not leave a single egg behind. They protect each egg apparently knowing the unhatched off spring will be the future of the entire colony. They move as a group in a specific direction and may have been the originators of the term 'no one left behind'. They may be dislodged from their nest but they don't abandon their eggs. They quickly organize; it is amazing how they all act in unison and it is a puzzle how they communicate so quickly. They seem to lack a leader but don't suffer because of a single leader because they all act collectively and independently. If they are further disturbed they will then fight back by trying to bite the offender with those strong pincers. They don't kill the unborn in the eggs or sacrifice them but they rally to protect them.

Words can be powerful and can be used in various ways to defend our actions whether they are good or bad intentions. Words can be used to distract, distort or twist facts to support an agenda. It seems to me from my observations that ants possess integrity, keeping life simple/basic, as it was designed to be, and value life. I do not write this to offend anyone but simply to demonstrate that one of the smallest creatures can be of immense value when they are observed and lessons are learned from them. They do not try to separate and divide or convince other ants that their way is best. They simply come together and work as a unit to insure their survival and protect the colony.

Keep life simple, be consistent, value life and only fight back when seriously threatened. Those are subjects that the human race could profit from. Perhaps that is why in the book of Proverbs in the Bible the ant is referenced twice. Once to show why not to be lazy: (Proverbs 6: 6-8) "Go to the ant, you sluggard! Consider her ways, and be wise. Which, having no captain, overseer or ruler, provides her supplies in the summer, and gathers her food in the harvest".  Or, (Proverbs:31-25),"The ants are a people not strong, yet they prepare their food in the summer". Clearly dating far back the ant has been used as a study insect to learn from. Ants are associated with a strong work ethic and being wise. The lessons are right there in front of us if we take but a moment to observe and learn. These are the pondering of a mountain man who sees these small creatures as a valuable lesson.

2 comments:

JennielynnfromMilton said...

Dear Bruce and Carol,

Thank you for a year of wonderful stories, pictures, and inspiration. I start to smile every time I see that I have received one of your posts!

Merry Christmas to you and yours.

Jennie

Bruce said...

Jennielynn: Thank you for your encouraging and very kind comments. Merry Christmas to you too.