The Path of Least Resistance

Ants are probably some of the most annoying creatures I have encountered. Before we started getting pest control service in our household, we simply could not get rid of the ant problem. They were in the kitchen, the bathrooms, the garden—everywhere!

Regardless of their annoyance, however, ants are admirable creatures. They are some of the busiest creatures on the planet, collecting food, storing for winter, and exploring for more food. Ants can carry 50 times their weight in food back to the colony. (I complain when I have to lift my 2-year-old daughter.)

Even an ant, as good of a worker as it is, tries to reduce the amount of work it takes to do something. When an ant finds a source of food, it returns to its colony and leaves a scented trail to alert other ants of the find. Over time, ants find the shortest path to the food, even if longer trails once existed.

I certainly can relate with that. It’s perfectly understandable to want to find the path of least resistance in life. It’s part of being resourceful and efficient. Still, sometimes it’s easy to take that philosophy to the extreme. It might be easier to drive than to walk somewhere, for instance, so I am much less active than I could be. It’s easier to go out to eat than to cook, so I may end up consuming less-than-healthy food. It’s easier to eat mindlessly than to count calories, so I might slack off on that task. If I’m not careful, the path of least resistance could turn into to plain old laziness.

The wise King Solomon gave the following advice: “Go to the ant, thou sluggard consider her ways, and be wise: which having no guide, overseer, or ruler, provideth her meat in the summer, and gathereth her food in the harvest.”

Ants have found that perfect balance between being resourceful with their energy, while still working hard. If I pattern my life after the ant, I just might find myself a very successful person! I do hope, however, that I can avoid being an annoying pest to others.