Are you smarter than an ant?

Go to the ant, you sluggard; 
 consider its ways and be wise!

It has no commander, 

 no overseer or ruler,

yet it stores its provisions in summer
 and gathers its food at harvest.

Proverbs 6:6-8

Can a tiny little insect really be wiser than a lazy man?

Ants have colonised almost every landmass on Earth. Their success in so many environments has been attributed to their social organisation and their ability to modify habitats, tap resources, and defend themselves. 

Ant societies have division of labour, communication between individuals, and an ability to solve complex problems.  These parallels with human societies have long been an inspiration and subject of study. 

[Ant - Wikipedia]

There are numerous lessons that can be learned from the humble ant.  For me this proverb highlights the ability of the ant to remain focused and adhere to some simple principals.  

The ant knows how to save and not eat into the profits when the going is good.  What's the first thing that most people think of when they get a pay rise or bonus at work? We needed a new TV. Time to take that weekend away. Just in time for the sale down at wherever.  Imagine using the extra money that you have survived without this far, to improve your long term position and create a buffer for when the winter times come.  Following the ant's little theory may well have avoided the sovereign debt crisis.

The ant knows how to work hard at the right time and convert labour into profits.  Work hard but work smart.  You have to be able to see opportunities and take them when the harvest is ripe, in business and in life.  Inaction is the biggest killer of success, don't be a sluggard.  If you start moving and only get something 80% right, at least you are better off than having done nothing at all.  Steering a stationary ship achieves nothing, but once the ship has momentum adjustments to its course are easily made.

Get up, get going and stay focused.  Simply acquiring knowledge is useless, it is in the application that wisdom is found.

Warning! Your life will self-destruct in 3..2..1..

The prudent see danger and take refuge, 
 but the simple keep going and suffer for it.
Proverbs 27:12

Are you one step away from self-destruction without even realising it?

Throughout life we are faced with many circumstances that require us to re-evaluate our situation and decide on what our next move might be. The ability to make a timely decision can greatly affect the direction in which our life travels and save us from unnecessary pain and suffering.  Can you take action now that will save you from catastrophe?

This proverb differentiates between two responses, the simple and the prudent. A quick search on Google gives this definition for prudence: Acting with or showing care and thought for the future.  To me this really speaks of having a big picture mentality.  In looking to the future and understanding the long-term ramifications of our actions we can make more informed and constructive decisions.  In contrast, the simple don't even want to think about it and keep ploughing forward with their head down.

Maybe it's time you took a long hard look at where you stand in contrast to where you want to be in the future. A little perspective might free you from a destructive relationship, a dead end job,  excessive spending habits, alcoholism or maybe just laziness that has prevented you from even thinking honestly about the your future.