I was reading my collection of Calvin and Hobbes for the umpteenth time, uncovering new meanings and truths, when I realised how this one strip, in 5 dialogues, displays the entirety of human nature.
There are those who have the work ethic similar to the one described as the ant’s in this strip – hardworking, persistence, and with no thought to future consequences.
And then there’s two sorts of responses to that behaviour: feeling inspired and respecting the work ethic, and feeling threatened or apathetic and dismissing the whole attitude.
How often do we see someone like whom we strive to be or want to be but don’t have the will or energy or time to put in as much effort? And our go to response then is to dismiss then, and distract ourselves with meaningless information and tasks.
It’s almost as though our brain attempts to shield ourselves from spiraling into self-hate thoughts after observing such situations which make us feel like we’re coming up short.
But maybe we stumble across these situations because we’re meant to; because we’re capable enough of pushing ourselves to be better than the present, and all we need is a push towards that future.
So next time, I think I’ll try and view such situations positively, as indications that I have the capability to improve rather than viewing it as what I could be. It is a mirror showing the future, and what I shall be.
