Nature's nature

Riotous nationals rejecting democracy or one-on-one rational argument with their government members in favour of the menace of mustered might.

Drunken louts reacting fiercely to being denied the right to drink as much alcohol as they like, then bash whomever they like, mourning the possible end of such a lifestyle to police who have the thankless job of ending their bogan behaviours.

I'm not naive enough to think that action does not sometimes need to be balanced with equivalent reaction, that causes do not produce effects, but I believe strongly that harmonious co-existence is not an expectation of life, but rather the result of determined striving; the desire to create goodwill.

When I came back to the present moment, shunning the ugly giant world picture and focusing instead on this tiny scene in nature's square metre, I related instantly to the difference between a wild creature, calmly doing what comes naturally, and mindless mobs giving vent to the emotions that animals seldom suffer – greed, hatred, anger, envy.

I gave thanks for my good fortune in knowing on which side of the tree I prefer to sit.