The Evolution - Part Two
When we think of evolution we inevitably think of Darwin, of the evolution of mankind, of the Australopithecus, Neanderthals, and the likes. But what does all of that have to do with us now? What does evolution really mean? Do we still evolve even to this day? Darwin established survival of the fittest is what evolution is about. Although this isn't a science blog (but just for those of you who don't know) he stated that in the fight for survival, "the fittest win out at the expense of their rivals because they succeed in adapting themselves best to their environment". But these days survival of the fittest goes along Machiavelli's line: "the end justifies the means". Both of these quotes make everyone seem like their out to get someone's head just to get to the top. It seems trust, respect, compassion, and faith are all virtues of yesteryear. Is it that to survive we have to step all over others to achieve our goals? Or can we just help our companions to achieve their goals while we achieve our goals as well? Can we even work together? Can I decide into what I want to evolve? Will my evolution help people around me? Will they begin to evolve as well?
When we think of evolution we inevitably think of Darwin, of the evolution of mankind, of the Australopithecus, Neanderthals, and the likes. But what does all of that have to do with us now? What does evolution really mean? Do we still evolve even to this day? Darwin established survival of the fittest is what evolution is about. Although this isn't a science blog (but just for those of you who don't know) he stated that in the fight for survival, "the fittest win out at the expense of their rivals because they succeed in adapting themselves best to their environment". But these days survival of the fittest goes along Machiavelli's line: "the end justifies the means". Both of these quotes make everyone seem like their out to get someone's head just to get to the top. It seems trust, respect, compassion, and faith are all virtues of yesteryear. Is it that to survive we have to step all over others to achieve our goals? Or can we just help our companions to achieve their goals while we achieve our goals as well? Can we even work together? Can I decide into what I want to evolve? Will my evolution help people around me? Will they begin to evolve as well?
I have so many questions and so many answers in my mind that knowing is not sufficient. What is knowledge without action. So where can I begin. The answer again is so simple, evolution or change, however you want to call it, always has to start from within, but it's easier said than done. Probably the first step could be to stop excusing ourselves. We tend to excuse ourselves for and from everything, from not going to the gym because we feel tired to eating too much because were anxious to getting late to our date because it's just fashionably late. We have excuses for everything and that is what prevents us from evolving into something more. Evolution is not just about biology, it's also a mental, spiritual and social process that we need to address. We can focus on the traits that we want to change and will help us grow, adapt, evolve and ultimately, let us be a part of the fittest group, or we can decide to not change at all and settle. Which is it?
Now I ask: can we face ourselves and look hard enough to admit what we want to change or into what we want to evolve? Nobody said it would be easy but it never hurts to try.
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