Ants And Bees, A Metaphor
When we see ants and bees out in the world, we often see just one, but this belies the reality of their situation. More than any other species, ants and bees function as parts of a whole. They cannot and do not survive as individuals; they survive as members of a group, and the group’s survival is the implicit goal of each individual’s life.
There is no concept of life outside the group, so even to use the word individual is somewhat misleading.
Often, humans, on the other hand, strongly value individuality and often negatively associate ants and bees with a lack of independence. And yet, if we look closer at these amazing creatures, we can learn valuable lessons about how much we can achieve when we band together with others to work for a higher purpose.
Most ants and bees have highly specified roles within their communities, some of which are biologically dictated, and they work within the confines of their roles without complaint, never wishing to be something other than what they are. In this way, they symbolize self-knowledge and humility.
They also display selfless service as they work for the common good.
In many ways, they are like the individual cells of one body, living and dying as necessary to preserve the integrity of the whole body, not to protect themselves as individuals. In this way, ants personify the ability to see beyond one’s small self to one’s place within the greater whole, and the ability to serve this whole selflessly.
Ants and bees can inspire us to fully own what we have to offer and to put it to use in the pursuit of a goal that will benefit all of humanity, whether it be raising consciousness about the environment, feeding the hungry, or raising a happy child.
Each one of us has certain talents we were born with, as well as skills we have acquired. When we apply these gifts, knowing that we are one part of a greater organism working to better the whole world, we honor and implement the wisdom of ants and bees.
What do you think?
I think it is way too easy to think of ourselves as one person against the whole world, in almost everything we do. Some people automatically feel like they are loners. Especially in friendship, some want a friend all to themselves, but it doesn't work like that. I believe in sharng ...in almost everything, especially friends, cause you just can't have enough...
ReplyDelete" In this way, ants personify the ability to see beyond one’s small self to one’s place within the greater whole, and the ability to serve this whole selflessly. "
ReplyDelete...I really like that!
Ants and bees can inspire us to fully own what we have to offer and to put it to use in the pursuit of a goal that will benefit all of humanity, whether it be raising consciousness about the environment, feeding the hungry, or raising a happy child.
ReplyDeleteEach one of us has certain talents we were born with, as well as skills we have acquired. When we apply these gifts, knowing that we are one part of a greater organism working to better the whole world, we honor and implement the wisdom of ants and bees.
By me being brung up in church i was taught u can't live in the world by yourself.
The world is big and vast and one should help their fellow man where needed.
Some people in this life don't know how to work together to get things done.
The ants and the bees work together as a group to get things done.
If all humans worked together or even shared with one another.
Oh what a world it would be.
We must take a lesson from the ants and the bees.
The world would be a better place to coexist.
Goddess
Joyce, this reminds on a Star Trek episode where Spock says that the needs of the one sometimes is more important than the needs of the many (paraphrasing). Too often I see groups of people acting in concert and taking actions that trample over the needs of the individual...um...didn't mean to ramble, but this was an interesting post. Thank you.
ReplyDeleteLet me add this caveat - I can see twhere humans need to function as a whole esp when it comes to activities/endeavors that harm mother Terra. I guess one has to examine decisions one makes...
......couldn't have said it better, GODDESS...!
ReplyDeleteAlso no room for the big I's and the little U's. We are all a part of each other. Everybody can't do the same things in life. We balance each other out....
Vee, I understand what you're saying. That is where respect comes in, and Patience. many of us do not posses it, or try to...
ReplyDeleteThanks for your thoughts...no rambling...lol