Imagine the universe. Scattered in some random portion of the universe is a set of strange and vastly different planets. Orbiting around one of these extraordinary, life-filled planets is a rocket. Outside of this rocket, is a group of tiny organisms whose species has been the subject of multitudes of research and experimentation. In each passing moment, these creatures beat the odds and tip the scale of luck just a little more to their side simply by living and existing.
These organisms are none other than the infamous Tardigrades. These creatures are known for their striking resilience; a quality that likens them to an indestructible science-fiction entity. In 2007, a research team launched a group of Tardigrades to orbit the Earth on the outside of a rocket. Shockingly, about 68 percent of the Tardigrades survived the entire ordeal.
Now, this quality of unsettling indestructibility does make these animals somewhat frightening. However, the average Tardigrade spans about one millimetre in length and survives by munching on plant cells and algae. Hence, they have inspired endearment more than they have inspired discomfort, resulting in many nicknames such as “water bears” or “moss piglets”.
Of course, the Tardigrades proffer many lessons for us to learn.
Tardigrades can survive anything from extreme temperatures and pressures to high levels of radiation. So what exactly is the secret to their resilience? Well, Tardigrades are able to survive all of these conditions by entering into a death-like state called “cryptobiosis”, where all their bodily functions come to a standstill. They can survive in this manner for decades.
Whenever we face adversity, we push ourselves to fight through it. We believe that our level of resilience is reflected simply by the level of our tolerance to pain and struggles. However, this desire to practise extreme levels of strength often pushes us past our mental and emotional limits, and we only realise this fact when we experience some type of breakdown.
During the period of youth, most of the advice we receive is centred around the action of motivating ourselves, of persevering, of never stopping until our goals have been attained. This advice guarantees us with an attitude that will lead to success or achievements. However, the advice is rarely accompanied by an important note of discretion; never ignore your needs to pursue your wants.
The Tardigrades are not indestructible because they have the willpower and strength to fight the force of every harmful element that they encounter. In contrast, they have the ability to pull away, conserve their energy and preserve themselves whenever they sense unfavourable environmental factors. As a result, they have the gift of longevity.
An important part of becoming a healthy and satisfied individual is having the patience to pursue your goals without risking your own mental or physical health. Furthermore, it is having the wisdom to recognise environments that are toxic or detrimental, and pulling away instead of tolerating them in the hope that there is a chance that they might benefit you in the future. Life can seem short, but it is always long enough for us to reach our destiny without sacrificing our bodies and our minds.
