Consider the Ant
Daily Passage
Reflections
I have been writing in my journal this month and decided to read the book of Proverbs. There are 31 chapters in Proverbs and 31 days in the month of January; so, perfect! As I was creating my bullet journal daily, I got the idea of blogging. Because I am trying to honor all of my creative ideas, a few days ago, I checked into blogging and started playing around in Squarespace. Today, January 6, is my birthday. It is also Epiphany. To celebrate the very special day, I made the move this morning to publish my first blog post and set up an online presence. I am reaching out into the world—connecting.
There is so much more that I need to do to set up this web site the way I want it and the fact that I am putting something like this out there in the world in such an unfinished and vulnerable state is very uncharacteristic of me; but, my reading today in Proverbs had me to pause from all of these heavy thoughts to “consider the ant.” The ant. Such a tiny creature. I know her for her strength and her stinging bite. The passage refers to her industriousness. A clue to commit to this daily blog?
I enjoyed reading through various translations of this passage. I liked the use of of the feminine “her” in the King James description. This surprising correlation harked me back to earlier passages that describe Lady Wisdom so beautifully. So much in this passage is male centered. Written from the perspective of a father speaking to his son, the passage weighs heavy with yang: the voice of King Solomon speaking HIS mind. IN fact - there are so many archetypes in this passage and most of them male: the king, the father, the son, the neighbor. The yin is present too as the “loose” woman,” the neighbor’s wife, and most curiously, the ant. Is the neighbor’s wife and the loose woman one and the same? Reading this as a woman, how do I feel about the word “whore”? I need to read more carefully, but I must leave this writing session soon to meet the demands of the day. However, drawing quickly to final thoughts - I again consider the ant and her just living out her life making use of the long abundance of her summers and gathering from her stores in the winter. This voice says clearly, “consider HER ways, my son, and be wise.”
I choose today to focus on the ant and all of the smallest of things, and “vibing” up my wisdom stores, yes — in fact gathering this cold winter day from the bounty of this vast universe, and I am curious what wisdom this wondrous day will bring.
Consider
“Go to the ant . . . consider her ways, and be wise:” — Proverbs 6:6 KJV
Eight Affirmations of Gratitude
I am grateful for my ability to learn.
I am truly thankful for all of my lessons.
I am so very thankful for all of my teachers.
I am thankful that I am not alone when making decisions but that I have the words and actions of others (even the ants!) to consider as I make my journey.
An give thanks for all of the animals on this earth, from the greatest in size to the smallest.
I am thankful for my ability to think.
I am thankful for the guidance of those who care about me and want life to go well for me.
I am grateful that I can take advice when I need it and like a lamp in darkness, its brilliant light guides me.
Questions to Consider
What are the smallest things that I can pause to consider today?
What advice (the teachings that have become a moral compass for me in this world) can I acknowledge and celebrate today?
Is there anything new that the universe is telling me, to which I now need to pay attention?
Blessings
Thank you for joining me today, on this Epiphany of 2021 and my birthday. May today be a day of beauty for you, abundant in joy and full of epiphanies. Namaste.