Our planet is a home to many kinds of creatures. We share everything from our food to our air with a variety of different animals, insects and plants. Despite the space that they occupy, it can be quite easy to forget that these creatures even exist because we are often distracted by the comfort of concrete skies.
However, unlike fickle human constructs, animal nature is persistent and unchanging. While these creatures evolve, they never stray from their true nature. They persevere in sticking to their true selves, even if the world itself changes. They survive, and they leave marks. They leave marks in the form of green tendrils that crawl through iron gates. They leave marks in the form of lost feathers that litter urban streets. They leave marks in the form of silver trails that glitter in the moonlight.
Perhaps over the years, we have learned from these stubborn creatures that it is truly important to leave marks on the world around us. Yet, we have failed to also learn why it is important for us to leave marks.
In a garden or field, you may find thin silvery streaks that seem to appear overnight. These streaks are called ‘snail trails’ and they are left behind by snails crawling across the surface of leaves or soil. The trail is a by-product of a sticky secretion that protects the snail and helps it to move. However, it has recently been speculated that the trail is also a tool that snails use to find their way back to a location, or most importantly, to communicate with other snails.
As young people, we are often encouraged to ‘make a mark’. We are told to do great things so that the world will remember us even when we are gone. Yet, those who do end up doing great things in their life rarely remember the most important part of making a mark. This part is to ensure that there are others who can follow these marks into a similarly successful future.
It is an unfortunate fact that human beings have forgotten the beauty of living in a shared world. We have already taken over land and resources from animals and plants, often killing entire species in the process. In today’s era, we have taken to doing the same thing with our fellow human beings. We seem to have adopted the false understanding that success and fulfilment is a limited resource that can run out if shared. Those who are not mistaken by this false fact are simply too occupied by their own lives to think about what happens after it.
In a world where valuable things are hidden away, knowledge and guidance are things of great value that are meant to be shared.
When you inevitably find peace and success in your lives, do not choose to hide your wisdom and experiences from children who must walk down the same path as you. Instead, share it with the world. Let your mark be silver trails that others can follow to the stars.
