Consistency Lessons from Unlikely Sources

Ants, camera, action!

June_Young
New Writers Welcome
3 min readApr 10, 2024

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Photo by Daniel K Cheung on Unsplash

In the quiet corners of our world, where dew-kissed leaves whisper secrets of beauty and time dances to its rhythm, lie lessons of unwavering consistency.

Picture this; the busy ant colony where tiny workers carry crumbs ten times their weight.

A twisted oak tree standing tall for centuries, its roots gripping the earth with unyielding determination. And then there’s a chessboard. A battlefield where kings and pawns alike learn the art of calculated moves, sacrifice, and dogged persistence.

These seemingly diversified entities hold secrets that transcend their forms.

They teach us about consistency– the silent force that shapes destinies, whether you’re a six-legged wanderer, a stoic trunk, or a strategist hunched over a checkered battlefield.

Ants: The Architects of Persistence

Ants are arguably the most successful creatures to ever live. They have colonized almost every landmass on earth, with a population that outnumbers humans by millions to one.

Photo by Shannon Potter on Unsplash

In my childhood years, ants were the focus of my curiosity and fascination. I would spend hours observing their movements and behaviors, marveling at their strength and efficiency as a collective organism.

Enduring a few nibbles now and then was a small price to pay but the entertainment was worth it.

Every grain of soil carried, every tunnel dug, contributed to the survival of the ant colony. But it’s not the grand gestures that define them; it’s the relentless repetition — the tiny steps taken day after day.

Consistency for ants is not about grand leaps; it’s about the cumulative effect of countless small actions.

Trees: The Stoic Guardians of Time

Now shift your gaze to the ancient oak tree. Its rings tell tales of droughts, storms, and seasons long gone. Yet, it stands tall with branches reaching for the sky.

Photo by Andrew Shelley on Unsplash

How?

Every day, it photosynthesizes, draws water from the soil, and stretches toward the sun. No cheat codes, no alibis.

Trees teach us that consistency isn’t always glamorous. It’s the daily rituals — the roots anchoring deep, the leaves unfurling, the rings adding up — that create resilience. The oak doesn’t rant about rocky soil or harsh winters; it adapts and persists.

Chess Players: The Masters of Strategy

Ah, the chessboard — a territory where kings bow to queens, knights dance, and bishops plot.

Photo by Hassan Pasha on Unsplash

Chess players embody consistency in strategy. They study openings, analyze endgames, and endure grueling matches.

For chess players, victory rarely comes in a single move; it’s the culmination of countless, well thought out decisions.

Consider the pawn — the humble foot soldier. It advances, retreats, sacrifices, but never loses sight of the endgame. Consistency isn’t about flashy gambits; it’s about positioning, foresight, and adapting to opponents.

Consistency in the Right Things

As you navigate life’s puzzles, remember the ants, the trees, and the chess players. Be consistent, not in everything, but in the right things:

  • Prioritize: Focus on what truly matters — the breadcrumbs that lead home.
  • Persist: Like the oak, weather storms and keep stretching toward your goals.
  • Strategize: Move your pieces wisely, even when the board seems chaotic.

And when the odds tilt against you, whisper to yourself: “I am the ant, the oak, the chess player. Consistency is my secret weapon.”

Because in the quiet corners of our world, where dew-kissed leaves whisper secrets of beauty, you’ll find the echoes of your unwritten victories :)

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