Why Aren't WE More Like Ants?
Watching some ants, I marveled at their industriousness and ability to seemingly self motivate. And I wondered why many humans are so dependent upon others for motivation.
As a child, I collected quotations and remembered one from Henry Haskins (1875-1957), a stockbroker whose sayings were published anonymously in 1940 in a book entitled Meditations in Wall Street. Haskins commented, 'Some people are like wheelbarrows; useful only when pushed and very easily upset.'
Some time in the 1970s I added some comparisons of my own (and included some I heard from others) so, today I ask you:
Some people are like wheelbarrows; useful only when pushed and very easily upset.
Some people are like trailers; still unless pulled ...and then move without influencing direction.
Some people are like canoes; drifting aimlessly unless paddled.
Some people are like flat tires; useful only when jacked up and tended to.
Some people are like kites; flying away unless kept on a tether.
Some people are like tennis balls; unpredictable in how they bounce.
Some people are like balloons; puffing up in self-importance and ready to burst.
Some people are like good watches; open-faced, quietly busy, wholly dependable, always on hand, and full of good works.
Which are you?
Photo Inspiration
Ants seem to be motivated with purpose
...are you?
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Reader Comments (2)
I have lots of ants in my garden. Under the patio stones. And watching them appear from out of the cracks is amazing. They are so organised. There are the worker ants but before they appear the scouts first come out to see if all is clear. And woe betide a stray insect if they venture into the their territory. Because then the soldier ants come out and attack and either drive it away or else. They dont have much chance against the soldiers though. Really like humand i think?????
I, too, find ants fascinating, Brian. Their dedication to their work is astounding. It doesn't seem to be much of a democracy though, does it? Worker ants are born and die as worker ants...hmm, perhaps that is very human!