Tribal

I am inspired to be my tribal me like the worker ants, living in an intensely communal, social way– maintaining the nest and the next generation—every day. The males in this society hold the females in highest regard and work for the queen of queens; or as good soldiers on guard. They also seek out new food sources for the colony at large or for migrating homeless at no cost or social charge. According to eminent ecologist, E.O. Wilson only a few species at best innately possess an altruistic division of labor at the home nest. This biological instinct to create social organization that supports the whole group is something we share as humans with the worker ant troop. However, when asked what we could morally learn from the ants as humans, EO Wilson responds, “nothing”. Humans are social and communal—and for this can be very effective in rapidly creating social movements (as we see with our worldwide corona virus response), but we also have a streak of individualism and are also obsessed with our own personal improvements. When given a choice, most people will choose themselves over any other voice. We are not as extreme in our “eusocial” behavior as ants, who are totally altruistic toward one another and coordinated so completely that they resemble combined cells and tissue of an organism” at first glance.

Reflection:

Looking back at your day, how could you have been more ant-like in your altruistic, giving toward others?

 Challenge:

Looking forward toward tomorrow, consciously do something that is altruistic (selfless) – in the best interest of your family…maybe chipping in with a house cleaning project or community…maybe feeding or clothing the homeless at no social charge.