When I heard about the tiger at the San Francisco zoo this week killing a young man and badly injuring three others it got me thinking. First how did this happen? And then feeling sad for the man and his family. Now the investigation is going to find what it finds, and if there's a penalty to be paid for someones idea of a joke or prank then so be it. They would have earned the wrath.
There may have been some taunting or teasing of the tiger involved. Word is that this magnificent 325 pound animal jumped over a 18 foot mote and somehow scaled a 15 foot high wall and got loose. Think about what I just wrote. 325 pounds, 18 and 15 feet! So with all the official questions hanging over our heads I'm asking one more. Why do humans constantly underestimate things NOT human. Why on earth would someone tempt a tiger? I know we have imposable thumb and the big brain that make us rulers of the world for the moment, but many times we put both to bad use.
Messing around with nature and animals is not ever a really good idea. When big hurricanes are coming....leave, when tornado's are predicted, take it seriously, and when wild animals who are three times are size are involved you better respect them. We seem to have this invincibility thing going. I think this is a phenomenon that is growing more every generation or so. We routinely underestimate the things in life that can harm us. Whether it be nature, animals, addictions, or even the possible consequences of our actions, many times we appear to be our own worst enemy.
Many times too we underestimate the power of the perceived small things in life. You know, the good stuff. The healing power of a touch, the calming of a loved ones smile. The right phone call at just the right time or a child's laughter. These are actually the big things in life and they are underestimated all the time. Maybe it's because we're all just so busy. We with regularity, forget to place the right emphasis on just the right thing.... at just the right time many times in life.
Transversely we tend to overestimate the power and show too much respect to things that maybe DON'T deserve it. Money and fame perhaps. I'm like you. I'd love to have Tom Hanks' money. At least I think I would. I think it's normal to think that it would be easier to navigate our complicated world if we had more "things." BUT that argument doesn't seem to be working all that well for the Lohans, the Simpsons' or the Spears' family.
Maybe if we just took the time to respect the things in life that can harm us a little more, and the same time embracing the things that can benefit us we'd all be a little better off. I guess it's possible, maybe even probable. We can only estimate that if this was practiced in San Francisco the other day, the man and the tiger would both be with us today.
But... one can only estimate.
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1 comment:
Scott: You certainly write eloquently and with such insight. There are many times when we do disregard what influences we receive from the world around us. Keep safe during the New Year.
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