Are We Smarter Than Ants?
Tips To Raising Black Belt Leaders
I went to the Zoo and the discussion of how animals are in tune with nature started up. They not only can sense danger when it comes to predators but they know ahead of time when there are earthquakes, storms, etc. Upon further insight we learned that most importantly animals know how to work WITH (not against) the seasons.
The ant for example thinks winter all summer and summer all winter. They are constantly moving to protect or gather their food. Ants Know The Pain Of Discipline and The Pain Of Regret… Aren’t We Smarter Than Ants? A naïve farmer plants his seed in the spring. He spends days toiling and pressing the seed in the dirt. When he’s finally done planting, he decides to take the summer off to rest. After all, he figures, summer is a fun time and it’s too nice out to work anyways. So at the end of summer he excitedly goes to gather the harvest from his garden and is shocked to find that weeds killed his garden. Then, as if it were nature’s fault, he cursed the soil, the sun and seed but never took responsibility. But as the wise saying goes…the pain of discipline weighs ounces compared to the heavy pain of regret.
A smart farmer, (like a smart parent), knows that weeds are always attacking his crops (children) and it takes committed discipline to kill the weeds. So what are these Weeds that attack our children’s self esteem everyday? Here’s a small list. 1. Intimidation and bullying from other kids.
- Peer Pressure to fit in.
- Negative friends that lack a foundation of morals.
- Maniacs abducting kids…
- It’s an instant gratification – MTV generation.
- The internet! (Hmmm) These Weeds will break down your child’s Confidence, Focus and Discipline. The end result? Their minds run rampant and they begin to think: • “I wish I was as smart as John.” • “How come I’m not as (fast, pretty, tall) as Jill?” • “I hope my teacher doesn’t call on me.” • “Why does Billy keep bothering me?” • “I don’t get what my teacher is saying.” • “I’m no good at sports.” The seasons aren’t going to change, but we can work WITH them. The animals got it right, even the smallest ant. Smart parents have planted the right seeds and work to protect them from weeds. We learn to take the rhythms of each day into our lives – weaving hard work and rest into our daily lives, and not needing to “take the whole season off.”
We know they need their playtime in the summer – because they learn by playing too. But we keep one element alive all year around – a little time each week to focus on the planting, sowing, and preparing for harvest time. Quitting martial arts in the summer was NOT an option for me while growing up. That served me all to well as an adult. It made me a success in accomplishing my biggest goals while others rested. Yes, as a child I complained, yelled and screamed, but my mom and dad knew what was best for me. They knew they weren’t just raising kids… they were raising adults. I love them deeply for what they did for me. Success Always.