Yesterday, my dad told me the story of the ant and the funnel. It was a story that he first heard during a university lecture many decades ago.
There once was an ant walking in circles around the inside of funnel. The ant started at the top and walked in circles, slowly spiraling him deeper and deeper into the funnel. At a certain point, it was easier for the ant to continue down the funnel and eventually fall through the hole at the bottom than it was to climb on out.
This point is appropriately titled the point of unlikely return.
The other day, I had lunch with Lindsay, one of my friends from Rhode Island. Lindsay, like the ant on the funnel, found herself involved very deeply in an unpleasant situation. She was engaged to a man that she didn’t want to marry. The wedding plans were in motion, the engagement ring was on her finger and the tentative date was scheduled. But unlike the ant, and unlike so many of us, she found the strength to take charge of her situation. Lindsay climbed out.
Because it’s so easy to fall through the hole, many of us overlook the alternative of climbing out. It’s the point of unlikely return – not the point of impossible return; we can never be stripped of our power to create the lives of our dreams.
Even in this very moment, the field of pure potential is in alignment and ready to manifest your deepest desires.
Tom Brady, calling on line 1.
September 28, 2009 at 7:24 pm
I know Chipotle had a rough start in life, but has she gotten any spunkier??
September 29, 2009 at 9:23 am
I have a greyhound myself and they have their moments but
are not known for being extremely active except for the
occassional run. They are great pets though. They don’t
bark, very friendly and with the short hair they are
easy to groom. I take mine to my office and the people
who visit love him. Just an FYI…
September 28, 2009 at 7:55 pm
chipotle is so cute.:)
September 29, 2009 at 2:52 pm
Agreed! :]
September 28, 2009 at 8:19 pm
hah, im a really bad ant then. darn it, i keep falling in those funnels, and im not strong enough to get out of it. i should just learn to stay away (easier said than done, i know), but sometimes i just ‘slip in’ not noticing (my being stupid and oblivious i suppose). oh well, if i slip in its just one less ant (survival of the fittest), right? love ya Davey (in a non internet creeper stalkerish way of course) keep doing what you’re doing
September 29, 2009 at 11:47 am
“love ya Davey (in a non internet creeper stalkerish way of course) keep doing what you’re doing”
lol its nice to see im there is more than one of us =P
September 29, 2009 at 4:24 pm
haha im just saying, i would find it kinda awkward if someone i didn’t know told me they loved me. i just wanted to clarify that it wasn’t in a creepish way. and i’m glad i’m not the only one who loves Davey in a non internet creeper stalkerish way.
September 28, 2009 at 9:04 pm
when you do get out though, it’s the BEST feeling ever and youll be so proud of yourself.
thanks for sharing another GREAT post davey!
September 28, 2009 at 9:43 pm
Davey,
My niece who is like a daughter to me has been engaged twice, each time she had the young man to ask me for her hand. I ask each young man why he wanted to married my niece. Each replied the same because I love her and she has changed my life for the better. Of course, later when my niece dump both of them, each came to me for advice on how to win her back. I had no idea so I just simply said if she does not love you enough to marry you then you and her are better apart than together. I think both men loved her but neither love her for the right reason. Each loved her but not for who she is but who they wanted her to be. I know a few folks like that don`t you. So the lessons is if someone ask for your hand in marriage
let him know that your not going to change at least I hope not! We like you just the way your are!
Have a great day.
Rick
September 29, 2009 at 1:01 am
Welcome back to New England Davey! Hope to see you in Boston tomorrow.
September 29, 2009 at 1:04 am
I think this is by far my favorite post! I love story-time!
but wth does tom brady have to do with this?
September 29, 2009 at 3:36 am
D.W. I am very sorry for something negative I wrote as I comment a long while back. I wanted to climb out of that tunnel, I made for myself.
I was wrong, you rock!
September 29, 2009 at 5:28 am
Look, all of these self empowering messages are all very well, but the simple fact of the matter is that for many people in this world, they are in a bad situation that they can’t get out of.
Think of all the people who die from starvation, poverty and disease everyday. No amount of positive thinking and “wishing” is going to change their situation.
I think the idealogy that you promote, can at times be dangerous. It suggests that if you are in a bad situation and you can’t get out of it, then it is your fault because your not trying hard enough. The truth is for many people they do not have a choice.
Often people need help to get out of certain situations, and each of us need to be prepared to do that when we can.
September 29, 2009 at 8:09 am
For instance. On September 11, 2001 there was a terrible tragedy. On that day, 35,615 men, women and children died an awful and needless death. They starved … and no one noticed. The next day the same thing happened, and it has continued to happen every day since then. About 85 percent of the people who die needlessly every other second are children. They die from starvation or a lack of clean water.
Who’s the ant in this funnel?
September 29, 2009 at 11:29 am
Ah, the Event Horizon concept in action. Once an object, or light itself, passes a certain point around a black hole, it will fall into that black hole. Eventually, black holes become neutron stars, spewing out unbelievable amounts of matter and energy, transformed and renewed from everything that fell into it.
September 29, 2009 at 2:14 pm
David,
I have the worst difficulties to understand what you mean sometime :… “the field of pure potential is in alignment”… .” It’s too technical for me! Here, you are ready to propel somebody into space, aren’t you?
bye,
ps : an advice of your blogbuddy, don’t answer to the phone call on line 1, he’s ugly! Just have a look who’s on line 2 :
http://picasaweb.google.com/naenae2505/JedHill#5323088684253962626
September 29, 2009 at 2:53 pm
I just clicked that link.
Oh.
My.
God.