Inspirational Ants

We can find so much inspiration in nature. Who doesn’t find awe in a beautiful sunset, or wonder at a brave crocus pushing up through the snow?

So often, though, we find our inspiration more in the flora and fauna that we find aesthetically pleasing. Some other of God’s creatures are more like to irritate us, than inspire us.

Recently I found inspiration from a colony of fire ants!

If you have ever been to Florida, you may have encountered fire ants.  They swarm and sting – they are not pleasant. Step barefoot on a hill and you may end up with a swarming boot of stinging ants.

I have an ongoing war against the fire ants in my yard. Recently, I had to concede that the fire ants had something to teach me.

Near my back door, I have some solar lights that are round glass globes on short metal poles. I had noticed the ants had built a hill at the base of one of the poles. Then, I noticed they had some something remarkable.

When I looked at the globe, I  I couldn’t see the light anymore. That’s because the globe was full of sand and ants.  This colony of ants had worked together to transport sand, grain by grain, up the pole and into the globe. They had built a high-rise condo for themselves. All I could think of was a train of ants carrying sand and singing the theme song from “The Jeffersons”! They really were “moving on up.”

Yes, I will have to replace the light, but I can’t really be angry. The teamwork, planning and determination this community of tiny creatures has demonstrated astounds me. If tiny little ants can work together and accomplish this, what could we accomplish together if we tried? I can’t even bring myself to destroy the colony just yet – I’m too proud of their accomplishment.

Well played, ants.