I've been reading this Bible verse for long but of recent it kept cropping up in different circumstances, speaking of |Prov. 6:6 - Go to the ant, you sluggard; consider its ways and be wise!|.
So since I couldn't go to the ant literally as I always thought it meant, I decided to read something about ants which later metamorphorsed into a reasearch on this interesting and inspiring specie of insects and principles of life they reflect. (Research Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ant).
Enjoy as you read...@ moi frequency...*wink*
> The Social man
You know one interesting thing is I only used the Wikipedia page to research on this and every line of information was inspiring and as you read you can just relate the lessons I learnt from the ant to our everyday life. I won't spell out some of the lessons I learnt but will leave you to extract the juice (its always sweeter that way).
How much more if I went into deeper depths of research, a book could come out of this.
One dominant fact about the ant is that out of all animals...on earth if I might say...it the the most eusocial.
Ants have strived on this unique characteristic as they perform various functions such as the worker who is responsible for defending the colony, sourcing for food and storing it. Also the queen ant who just produces eggs and the male ant that also produces clones after which it dies (i.e. it only eats, mates and dies).
Now the lesson to be learnt here is the importance of Role-playing as regards to us humans. We are not made to do everything but made for a specific purpose and carrying it out wholeheartedly.
A man is supposed to be a man and a woman likewise. In business same applies, misunderstanding of your role leads to frustration and unfulfillment.
> Poor Eyesight but Great Vision
Most ants have very poor to mediocre eyesight with few completely blind, so they use chemical substances called pheromones to communicate leaving trails for other ants to follow.
Your 5 physical senses are not enough for your success in business, relationships and life as a whole even though they are essential.
The one who relies on beauty as a 'dominant' characteristic for choosing a life partner could be making a big mistake. Beauty fades away, Mutual respect and selflessness - never.
The one who treats business clients based on appearance will soon discard the thousand-naira looking client with a multi-billion naira idea.
The Bulldog ant (one of the biggest of ant species) I learnt out of all ants is the least-developed socially. Why? I decided to plunge into this too.
Quick fact I'll give you is that it hunts alone by relying on its large eyes to hunt for food instead of its chemical senses. hmm...Its left for you to pick your own lesson as it applies.
> Insight + Service
Based on the lesson above, ant pheromones have strong smell leaving trail for others to feed. So lesson to learn here is insight. The ant in front obviously has seen what is ahead so the ant behind follows based on pheromones (insight) left behind.
Sounds to me like acquiring knowledge. Knowledge is like pheromones left behind for you the new-comer to explore and give you insight into your own ideas. Your business idea might not be the first just like Coca-cola isn't the only drink. But Excellence sells anyday.
Ants leave food trails behind for others to follow to locate the food source
This is a lesson of service: Any idea or innovation that doesn't have a positive impact or based on the principle of service to your environment is void.
> Built to last
Average life 'expectancy' of an ant is 30 - 40 days - note that it means thats what is expected due to their size and nature of challenges they face but do you know Ant queens live up to 30yrs.
How come?
Quick facts: Ants adapt to any kind of environment (tropic or temperate) and work all-through the year.
In temperate places like the Antarctica, they provide their food ahead of the winter so when winter finally comes...
they rest?
NO! They slow down food production based on weather contraints.
This culture ensures that all-through the year, food is available. So why won't it live that long.
> Role Models
Even ants have got mentors
Check out this excerpt from the source I read:
"A knowledgeable forager of Temnothorax albipennis leads a naive nest-mate to newly discovered food by the process of tandem running. The follower obtains knowledge through its leading tutor. Both leader and follower are acutely sensitive to the progress of their partner with the leader slowing down when the follower lags, and speeding up when the follower gets too close."
hmm...this next quote by Isaac Newton in a letter to Robert Hooke also buttresses the importance of having a role-model:
"What Descartes did was a good step. You have added much several ways, and especially in taking the colours of thin plates into philosophical consideration. If I have seen a little further it is by standing on the shoulders of Giants."
> Size a'int no excuse for the Ant
An average ant is 2mm in size but it attimes travels 200m meters in search for food!!!
How far are you willing to pursue your dreams? I ask myself the same
They face a great risk of desiccation in the course of their long journey but due to their sense of adaptation and scent trails it leaves behind, it avoids this by finding shorter alternative routes.
This sparked off a thought in me:
You know those times when we have this crazy idea or dream, or we map out a plan and strategy to achieve something...The initial urge, drive and motivation...very high!...and all of a sudden...pshew...engines quench out (desiccation) and we abandon it.
(Desiccation - make uninteresting: to remove vitality from something
Microsoft® Encarta® 2009. © 1993-2008 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.)
NEVER!
Ants don't do this.
So I say to you and to myself: If this minute creature could achieve so much feat, then how much more you?
You can choose to go to school, get a degree, marry and die without an impact
or you could still let your works and impact speak and bless lives long after you've passed away.
These are lessons from the ant...(You can read more here)
Awesome read... I like
ReplyDeleteThanks for stopping by Harry
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