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Media Library
Spiritual Helps
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A Word of Welcome
Chasing Ants
A few weeks ago, I renewed an annual ritual which will forever be associated with my sojourn in Georgia—the chasing of the ants. Every summer I dance with the ant hills in my yard. Fortunately, they are not fire ants and really are only a nuisance. Yet, girded like Don Quixote I tilt at the small sand-like windmills in hopes to vanquish my foes from the land.
Usually the process involves both brute force (the lawnmower or a shovel) and chemical warfare (a variety of sprays, dusts and granules). Now before you feel the need to give me your great-granddaddy’s special anti-ant potion, I have consulted sages both local and professional. I have even brought in the pest control sprayers, all to no avail. Sure I may fell one hill, but my foes fall back and build another redoubt and await another attack. Frankly, I’m tired and would just surrender; but I prefer an ant-free house (as does Laura, which is more to the point) and so I soldier on.
While I was applying the latest in chemical death last week, it occurred to me that chasing ants is a pretty good metaphor for what life can become. I wonder how much time I have spent in my life trying to eradicate some nuisance while allowing other, more important, issues to remain unaddressed. I have noticed that no matter my approach, I have essentially the same number of ant hills in my yard at any given time; they are simply changing location. Most of us find that no matter our best efforts, we have the same amount of troubles in our lives; they just change locations. We know we can’t leave them entirely unattended or they will take over. The challenge is really one of balance. How do we keep the ants at bay and at the same time keep the whole yard healthy? I have found it to be a matter of perspective. If I look at my yard and all I see are the anthills, I get frustrated. However, I can choose to place them in proper perspective and see a beautiful place where my family can play; that is home for birds and bunnies--a small sanctuary in a busy life that has a few anthills. It is all in how I look at it.
The best advice I can give you is do what is necessary and wait for the season to change. I know that when summer turns to fall and then to winter, the ants will leave, at least for a season. In the meantime, I will do what I have to do to keep them at bay and, more importantly, do all the other things that keep the whole yard healthy. Maybe they won’t come back next year! I can hope can’t I? Even if they do, I am resolved to see the greater beauty and maybe even acknowledge that they have a part in it all.
Blessings,
Monty
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