How often do we hit on the pause button in life to reflect? Gratitude comes from a sense of inherent happiness, a sense of wellbeing and a feeling of indebtedness. Privileges often overshadow our sense of gratitude and accomplishments cloud our humility. We forget to be grateful and silently, somewhere along the way, arrogance creeps in. We take for granted the privileges which life has bestowed upon us and trudge along our ways wearing a hat of superiority.
While we are fortunate to perhaps not face extremes of life or death each day, the story is quite different for creatures in the wild. Each moment is a challenge, willing creatures of the wild to survive against many odds. Many a mechanism and adaptations are gifted by Mother Nature, helping the preys and the herbivores live the moment. Herds of different species come together in synergistic relations, banking on each one other’s strengths to save themselves. Possibly, creatures in the wild have the maximum sense of gratitude because each sunrise gives them new hope, firm belief and a stronger urge to live.
During our first trip to the Masai Mara, we witnessed a phenomenon unmatched in its brilliance. In that lovely unforgettable dawn, with the vast expanse of the Savanna grasslands spread before our eyes in its endlessness, a soft golden glow enveloping the greens, there unfolded an unbelievable performance. One of the very beautiful species in the bushes are the Antelopes and their rather large family comprising of Hartebeest, Gerenuk, Impala, Gazelles, Topi, Waterbucks and Elands, among others. Mostly light, elegant and slender, with graceful limbs and a shiny beautiful coat, the Antelope family is a treat to the eyes in the Masai Mara. Graceful in their movement, elegance and finesse define these creatures.
On the morning of our departure, our Masai guide Jacob introduced us to this absolutely brilliant phenomenon, the ultimate in expressing gratitude. I decided to call this “Celebrating another day”. Every morning in the Savanna Grasslands sees the Antelopes and others of this family literally dance around. They jump in absolute elegance as they move around from one point to the next. It’s like a disciplined show of thankfulness to be alive. Organised, where each gets to worship by a show of pure joy, expressing mere gratitude to the power that be, saying “thanks for keeping us alive yet another day”.
This was unimaginably beautiful. As Jacob narrated the reason behind this “morning jog”, one thinks…are we really the wisest of nature’s creations!? How often do we pause in our tracks of progress and say a small ‘thank you’ for the smallest of life’s gifts? How often do we worship the Almighty by simply bowing down for all we have in this life? While discussions rage from classrooms in schools to the corridors of power, teaching children and adults alike the power of gratitude, I wonder who teaches this to the wild creatures in the jungles? Wonders of the wild. It’s beautiful beyond imagination. Do zoom as you watch and please listen to Jacob as he explains this beautiful act.
