Weekend Assignment #182: You're an Animal
"Ready for some funky self-introspection? Then here is the week's Weekend Assignment:
Weekend Assignment #182: Compare yourself to the animal whose best-known traits are most like your own personality.
Note this isn't "what animal would you like to be?" but is instead "what animal is most like you?" Also, don't be too worried if your identification is not totally biologically exact; listing your similarities based on the general cultural impression of the animal is fine, too. We're not doing science here, after all; we've doing end-of-the-week diversions.
Extra credit: Would you want to own the animal you identify with?"
I considered the eagle, elephant, fish, ant, and the bee, all creatures I identify with for various reasons, but they are animals whose characteristics I would like to possess. And the assignment clearly asks for us to consider the animal whose best known traits are most like my own personality.
Considering that, when threatened, I withdraw, and that everything I need is inside of me, I think I identify with the turtle more than the other animals I named above.
Hang with me for a moment.
Turtles are relatively slower in their movement than other animals. I am a slow thinker. I get where I'm going, but might get there a little later than others.
Turtles have a hard shell to protect them from predators and the elements. I have a sort of hard "shell"... things don't get me upset. Problems cannot penetrate my resolve to solve them.
Turtles are built close to the ground, for stability. I am short... probably not for stability, but it works.
Turtles carry their home on their back. I can make myself at home anywhere I go. Spiritually speaking, I am at home.
Turtles blend in with their environment... they don't stand out as a threat to other wildlife. I don't stand out in my environments either. I kind of blend in with whatever is going on in any given situation. I am there, I contribute, but I don't take the spotlight... don't like being on stage like that. Except in the classroom.
Turtles are generally silent, not making many noises. I am the silent type when in unusual circumstances. I am one to observe what's going on before I'll speak up. I don't dive right into a situation like an eagle would, and I don't use my power and strength, like an elephant, to intimidate others.
Turtles seem comfortable to live alone once they leave their nest as a hatchling, except for mating purposes. They are very independent. I am independent. I am married, and enjoy being married, but I am independent in all other ways. I contribute to the "colony" like ants and bees do, but am very comfortable in moments when I am away from the rest of the colonists.
Turtles don't seem to have a sense of humor, but I think they do. I have one, but it's taken me a lifetime to develop it!! I said I was slow.
The turtle is recognized in myth and lore as being patient, moving steadily through life. That's me to a T! T for turtle!
When a turtle is moving fast, it sticks its neck out... that's how it makes progress. Sometimes Istick my neck out, and when I do, I make progress.
The most famous turtle (in lore) is probably the one who raced the rabbit. We all know how that race turned out, and the lesson learned is a valuable one. Slow and steady wins the race.
One turtle I greatly admire is Koopa. He is an artist, 27 years old, and lives with his housemate, Kira, also an artist.
Here is a link to Koopa's and Kira's website. The only reason I found them was because I was looking for some pictures of turtles for this entry. I had no idea I'd find an artist turtle like Koopa!
Watch this video to see another trick he does. It's lengthy, at three minutes, but I didn't know turtles could do this. Kira is as very patient as the turtle is. She told me in an email that he does it often, and can do it for longer periods of time.
Bonus Question/Answer: If I were living on my own, I might have a turtle for a pet. And I'd teach it to do tricks like Kira did for her Koopa!
