Staying Grounded

Whooping cranes - photo by Jeff West

          In psychobiology, imprinting is a form of learning in which a very young animal fixes its attention on and thereafter follows another animal or object. While such a learning process can initially be valuable for survival, it can become problematic when it comes to recognizing an appropriate mate. In 1976, there were only about 100 whooping cranes left in the world. Conservationists thought they might save them from extinction if they could breed them in captivity and then reintroduce them into the wild. Their hopes relied on 'Tex,' a female crane hatched and hand-reared in the San Antonio Zoo. Unfortunately, Tex would have nothing to do with any of the male whooping cranes, because she had imprinted on her human caretakers. Only after crane expert George Archibald moved in and formed a bond with her did Tex lay her first egg. 

          Like the misguided crane, pride can cause us to take on a limited, confining identity that we get stuck defending. Rather than embrace self-awareness and self-acceptance, we attempt to create an illusion about who we are. As Thomas Merton explained, we "demand that others believe the lie we have made ourselves about ourselves." While this identity may manifest as arrogance with an air of superiority, it could make a more subtle appearance under the label of 'worse than.' In this case, we consider our struggles more difficult than those anyone else must face. Rather than taking on an identity forged by pride, we can release the need to be a certain way and become curious about our humanness. The Latin word from which 'humble' is derived is humilis, meaning 'on the ground.' Regardless of outward appearances, we all walk on the earth, not on water. On the inside, everyone wants to be loved, happy, safe and well. Through the practice of humility, we stay grounded and recognize our common humanity.