I watched these focused visitors and feared the worst, occupation. There were multitudes, all of a sudden, where there had been none. It was unsettling. And grotesque. Wood floors, white ceilings, and stocked shelves, were quickly speckled with healthy picnic-variety ants. These were not darling, diminutive sugar ants; these were big suckers, not quite a carpenter, but certainly the Carpenter Ants third string.
It was 10 PM when they invaded and their arrival raised some questions. Where did they come from? Why now? How do they mobilize their troops with such military precision? What motivates them? I knew the answer to this last one. What motivates them? Food. But really, were they simply motivated by the possibility of a meal? Or were they interested in world domination?
I had some choices to make as to how to rid my house of these uninvited visitors, but I couldn't shake that last question: what motivates them? My friend, Vanessa, recently asked "What makes people tick?" My immediate response was "Money. Sex. Power." I guess I was feeling cynical. The Psych 101 answer to the question is acceptance and belonging, which is precisely what money, sex, and power can deliver. What is the spiritual answer? Connectedness? Transcendence? Ants and bees are admired for their efficiency and I dare say, dedication. They do not seem dedicated only to the community or to finding food. They appear to be dedicated to their purpose. Ants: a perfect practice in purpose.
This is not reassuring, especially to those of us who are perpetually purposeless. I suppose we can be connected in our purposelessness and that may do the world some good or at least not do it any harm. The ants and their purpose were gone by morning and I have not seen them since. Perhaps my lack of purpose can be as transient.
