What makes me, ME and what makes you, YOU?
The debate in psychological circles continues to rage on; what is instinctive behaviour and what is learned behaviour? How much of our personalities are genetic and how much is learned? It seems that most modern psychologists hold the view that much of our behaviour is learned; that we have been moulded from childhood into the characters which we are. Although I share this view, I also believe that the 'instinct' in us should not be discounted.
We know, for example, that there are certain emotions which are universal and observable in the facial expressions of all human beings across the world - such as anger, happiness, fear, surprise, sadness etc etc. - but how much of our instinctive behaviour is unique to ourselves as individuals? I would like to suggest that there are indeed some uniquely individualised INSTINCTIVE behaviours which are not common to all individuals. Whilst my view is not backed up by research, I continue to experience profoundness of this view on a daily basis.
In the very early hours of this morning we had our first hint of a rainstorm. Although there was quite a bit of wind, a solid soaking did not materialise. The wind and the rain brought a visitor to my bedroom. As I opened my eyes to the dawn, a tiny movement on my carpet caught my eye. A fledgling dove had found its way through my open window and had sought refuge (it seems) in the folds of my bedroom curtain. Even the dogs who share our room hadn't noticed. It was then that my own instinct gripped me - the ever pervailing compassion for people and all creatures in distress.
I gathered up the little bird in the palms of my hands and whilst still in my pyjamas padded barefoot down the passage, onto the patio and into the garden. I deposited the frightened litte creature close to a small shrub, knowing that if its mother was around, she would surely find it. I was delighted to see that within a short while the little bird embraced its own spirit, stretched its wings and flew up onto the wall.
My own instinct of releaving a creature in distress speaks so loudly to me. Indeed I believe it to be part of my soul. I remember, as a small child, sitting for hours in quiet sanctitude on our farm, just taking in God's creation and knowing how intricately involved I was in it. This kind of feeling/emotion cannot be learned. I believe it to be purposefully created in me and my experience of it - again unique to me! Its essence is raw, pure and and links directly (I believe) into my own creation.
The little dove this morning allowed me again to receive this peaceful message, "Embrace who you are, understand and listen to the instinct of your soul and honour it!" So, I would encourage you, too, to take some time aside today and ponder what it is that makes you, YOU. You are unique and indeed God's perfectly created creature. Gather your own spirit and spread your own wings to even greater heights!
Thursday, October 9, 2008
Friday, October 3, 2008
ANTLIONS
I first learned to write in a palette of soft sand on my parents' farm in the Northern Province of South Africa. The narrow farm road leading up to our old house was littered in places with fine sand; worn down by the tyres of many farm vehicles. The sand was my domain and allowed me the opportunity of experimenting with varieties of patterns created by my small hand. So you can imagine when one day, to my horror, MY sand was patterned with small conical depressions (which I had not made!). But I was a farm child and I honored my learning by simply sitting down in the sand and watching.
As the sun rose that morning, so too did the ants start their day. These ants were known to me - small and brown in type, with no bite - and I let them go happily about their business. I watched too, in facination, as one of them fell into one of the conical holes in the sand. The ant started to struggle to get out of the hole but these holes were obviously carefully crafted. Soon a spray of fine granules was thrown up from the small pit. This added to the ant's plight and it was gradually dragged down into the apex of the hole. In a split second something caught it; two small pinchers had taken a firm grip and the ant was dragged underneath the sand.
I was 6 years old at the time and sat there - riveted in facination. This was my early introduction to the fascinating world of the ANTLION.
I decided to catch and collect some of the antlions. The trick, I eventually learned, was to get a small piece of grass and then quietly tickle the sides of their conicle holes. This would prompt the ANTLION to action and once it was frantically throwing sand up from it's pit, I would reach in with my hand and, as gently as possible, grab the sand in its general area. If I was lucky, I would eventually find the little creature once I had carefully sifted through the sand. My tiny little captive was then placed in a shoe box filled with sand. I would watch, delightedly, as it dug its way underneath the soil. Those days in my childhood were filled with catching ants and delivering them into the small death pits.
My glee however didn't last long. After a few weeks the ANTLIONS and their beautifully crafted holes simply disappeared and left me mortified. It was only years later that I discovered the secret of the ANTLION...
The ANTLION, often known as the 'Doodlebug' is resident to temperate climates all around the world. They are a creature in transition since they are, in fact, the pupa of the 'lacewing' (a form of dragonfly). During their 'ANTLION' stage, they feed primarily on ants, drawing these insects into their deathtraps, pulling them underground, and feeding off their juices. Despite their 'violent' existence, they are quite beautiful with tiny furry bodies and small, neat pinchers. Candidly, I would say that they look like a giant sperm cell.
So next time you see these tiny depressions in the soil, tread carefully! There might be resident antlions in those holes who are slowly transforming themselves into beautiful dragonflies.
As the sun rose that morning, so too did the ants start their day. These ants were known to me - small and brown in type, with no bite - and I let them go happily about their business. I watched too, in facination, as one of them fell into one of the conical holes in the sand. The ant started to struggle to get out of the hole but these holes were obviously carefully crafted. Soon a spray of fine granules was thrown up from the small pit. This added to the ant's plight and it was gradually dragged down into the apex of the hole. In a split second something caught it; two small pinchers had taken a firm grip and the ant was dragged underneath the sand.
I was 6 years old at the time and sat there - riveted in facination. This was my early introduction to the fascinating world of the ANTLION.
I decided to catch and collect some of the antlions. The trick, I eventually learned, was to get a small piece of grass and then quietly tickle the sides of their conicle holes. This would prompt the ANTLION to action and once it was frantically throwing sand up from it's pit, I would reach in with my hand and, as gently as possible, grab the sand in its general area. If I was lucky, I would eventually find the little creature once I had carefully sifted through the sand. My tiny little captive was then placed in a shoe box filled with sand. I would watch, delightedly, as it dug its way underneath the soil. Those days in my childhood were filled with catching ants and delivering them into the small death pits.
My glee however didn't last long. After a few weeks the ANTLIONS and their beautifully crafted holes simply disappeared and left me mortified. It was only years later that I discovered the secret of the ANTLION...
The ANTLION, often known as the 'Doodlebug' is resident to temperate climates all around the world. They are a creature in transition since they are, in fact, the pupa of the 'lacewing' (a form of dragonfly). During their 'ANTLION' stage, they feed primarily on ants, drawing these insects into their deathtraps, pulling them underground, and feeding off their juices. Despite their 'violent' existence, they are quite beautiful with tiny furry bodies and small, neat pinchers. Candidly, I would say that they look like a giant sperm cell.
So next time you see these tiny depressions in the soil, tread carefully! There might be resident antlions in those holes who are slowly transforming themselves into beautiful dragonflies.
Thursday, October 2, 2008
Short and Sweet
What a happy day it has been, for me, today! We have the best weather in the world and I got to spend a morning baking muffins (many of them) with a good friend. Kitchen creations are always special, since I know they bring comfort to their devourers.
This evening, as I watered my garden and pottered around the pool, I saw the first signs in the sky of the promise of rain and felt a shared upliftment with my thirsty plants.
This evening, as I watered my garden and pottered around the pool, I saw the first signs in the sky of the promise of rain and felt a shared upliftment with my thirsty plants.
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