Homo sapien Cave Rats

by Lydia Daffenberg

A permanent mindset of mine is that we are mammals living in nature. Now to that you might say, "Well, duh." But really think about this--I do a lot. Our 6-inch walls are all that seperate us from outside. Heck, cavemen had thicker walls than us, yet we remain greatly detatched from nature. We have excluded the fact that our daily reliance is on Earth as our home and our sustenance. We feel advanced and immune because of our 6-inch walls inset with fancy doors and double-paned storm windows. We are oversecure. We are vulnerable. We've forgotten who we are--mammals living in fancy, amenity-laden caves.

We hear it all the time: "Don't forget where you came from." Meaning, when you are successful and rich, don't forget your humble upbringing. Shouldn't we extend that further? Perhaps re-define? As a species, don't forget where we came from. No, not the Bronx or the south-side of Dekalb, but from Earth, from Nature--evolving over time to appreciate the finer things in life like 2x4's and drywall, shingles and furnaces.

If you don't believe me, take a look outside your window. Nature is saying hello.