Cheeky's Blog ;)

The other day just as I was leaving the fieldstation to go monkey watching, I saw this miniture spectacle unfold on the pavement out the front of the building. A battle between a large wasp and a little ant. The ant had its jaws tightly clasped to one of the wasps antennae. The wasp was still alive, it moved its legs of its own accord, yet this little ant was dragging the wasp across the ground. I can think of several lessons (of which I'm sure everyone already knows, however, it never hurts to have a little reminder) from this situation.

The first I didn't think of myself, but my Dad mentioned it, when I told him the story. Bravery. The little ant was brave taking on a wasp much bigger than himself, and when wasps are dangerous in their own right. By being brave, I don't mean going out and taking unwieghed risks for the sake of it, but rather, having courage to face the challenges in our lives head on. To overcome our fears.

There is a saying that goes something like, “Even the smallest person can do great things.” I read it somewhere once, but I don't remember where, or who said it. This scene brought that thought to mind. It doesn't matter who we are, we all have the potentional to do great things. Things much bigger than ourselves. If this little ant can drag that wasp several metres across the concrete (and probably more, but I don't know how far), then each of us can overcome whatever obstacle it is we face. We can rise above our challenges and do great things.

Determination and perserverance. For a little ant, several metres is a long way. And although he moved slowly, he didn't give up. Instead he perserveered and dragged the wasp to his destination. He had work to do and was determined to finish it. He was determined to overcome his challenge.

An additional note, on this topic. I was reading a book recently in which the author said that 'brick walls are there so you can show how much you want something.' Don't give up when an obstacle comes your way, or when you face a challenge. If you want what is at the other end of each journey enough, then do it. And even if you don't want what is at the end that much, do it anyway, sometimes its the journey itself which is the reward.