It is Groundhog day today Wednesday Feb 2 2022. Here is some information for you all about groundhog day. In short it is the day of the year that the public asks the wise groundhog named Punxsutawney Phil if the winter is over. If the Groundhog comes out of his hibernation than we are in for a spring and summer if the groundhog goes back into hibernation we will experience the winter chill for six more weeks.
I should mention that this is an United States of America tradition and not done all over the world but the idea that we as a species can learn from animals is not unfounded or bad ideology.
Many cultures have festivals to celebrate animals. Here is a list of six of them this fall. Animals have been on this earth before human beings. Humans have been on earth for about 300,000 years. The Koala, Kangaroo, crow, Hippo, Ostrich, Bat, Elephant, Penguin, Gorilla, and rat are just a few of the animals that have lived on earth for over 20 million years. The shark has been on earth for 450 million years. When I type human 300 000 years I am of course referring to modern humans now our ancestors Homo erectus was around as far back as 6 million years. So even if we decide to crown homo erectus with human status some of the “youngest” species of animals still have at least 14 million years on us.
That is 14 million years of adaptation and survival. I think it is complete hubris to assume that our species is superior to the animals, it is hubris and not logical. Arguably one of the most recent greatest accomplishments of humans is the internet big deal. Animals have become masters of communication.
Humanity is currently facing a crisis and should do its best to learn as much as it can from the animals who have lived through millions of years of crisis.
I try and walk my dog every day. The dog was domesticated by man about 30 000 years ago but the dog is still an animal and has helped man in more ways than one. It was the dog that helped man outlive the Neanderthals, it was the dog that provided security for the human as well as companionship and undying love.
My dog has taught me to:
Have compassion
Live in the Now
And how to be part of a tribe.
Here is a great post about how much animals can teach us. Let’s celebrate groundhog day by learning as much as we can while respecting the animals on this planet.
The Corrigan Encore 