Every one of us is instinctive by nature. Until we understand this fact about the nature of humans we will still be intimidated by the challenges of life. Moreover, we must understand that we have the ability to survive and turn around situations even precarious ones where the hope of survival is very slim. This ability helps us withstand and absorb the shock of the catatonic blows of challenges of life. Our instinct helps us to avoid a breakdown in our quest to succeed and find fulfillment in life.
Chika, 7, and Ikenna, 10 were engaged in a brawl. The duo has had a heated argument over who owns a toy. ‘I will beat you, said Ikenna, and then replied Chika ‘I know you will beat me but I will disgrace you. Before you know it a fight ensued between the two boys, Ikenna being the older began to punch and kick vigorously just to carry out his threat. And true to his word he beat Chika black and blue with bruises all over his face and blood gushing out from his mouth. The other kids watched with keen interest and nobody tried to disentangle them.
However, Chika who nobody gave any chance against Ikenna fought back and withstood him. He survived the onslaught and in a single swoop fell Ikenna to the ground before Ikenna could know what befell him he pressed him hard to the ground and stuck his mouth with a handful of sand. ‘Ikenna don chop sand ooh’ the other children shouted, meaning Ikenna has eaten sand. Small Chika has beaten Ikenna. That was the end of the fight, Ikenna went home shamefully and defeated, even though he had designed Chika’s face with bruises, while Chika was the victorious one for the fact that he made Ikenna chop sand.
That was a Childhood experience. During those times when two children fight the one that is made to ‘chop’ sand is defeated no matter how fierce or defiant he is in the fight. Now, relating this scenario to the topic at hand you are instinctive by nature. Remember the downfall of a man is not the end of his life. On the contrary, it becomes the end of his life if he accepts to kiss the dust or eat sand. Challenges or troubles of life may throw you to the ground but don’t kiss the dust. Kissing the dust or eating sand is akin to defeat or surrendering to the challenges of life.
You may fall down to the ground many times but make sure you don’t kiss the dust” – Chidi Kalu
Human by nature always fights for survival whenever he finds themselves in a precarious situation. This is possible by the instinct of man. Man is instinctive by nature and will always survive the onslaught of adversity because he has the endowments it takes to survive. But the greatest error or mistake one will make is to give up when you have the chance to fight back and survive the tides of adversity. Like I said earlier, man is a creature of instinct. And will instinctively fight for survival when in precarious situations. Hence by instinct you are well enamored to confront and overcome your challenges.
In one of my posts on Assumption, someone curiously asked me the difference between Assumption and Instinct. I want to state here that there is a wide difference between assumption and instinct. Instinct is inborn – that is we are all born with instinct. It is more or less an inspiration. Instinct is all about our immediate reaction to happenings around us. On the other hand, Assumption is based on experiences in life. Mind you no two experiences are the same in life.
Hence, it is prejudicial. It is making judgments on any issue based on face values, without any empirical evidence. You don’t assume that because it worked for Mr. A it will also work for you. There may be other factors that came into play for A to succeed that you have not considered. Hence, instinct is naturally inbuilt in us like the survival instinct in man, whereas assumption is based on our past experiences in life.
Oftentimes when life or situation pushes us to the wall or ground there is every propensity that we fight back. That is the survival instinct in man. Man will always do everything within his power to salvage his situation. So next time you hear the phrase ‘follow your instinct ‘ it means naturally you have all it takes to handle challenges and survive in life. It is the urge to fight back when life pushes you to the wall. You must persevere, fight on until you overcome your challenges, and succeed in life because you are instinctive by nature.
Has life been unfair to you? Have you been beaten black and blue, and bruised by the challenges of life? Have you been pushed down to the ground? You must push back; you must fight back. You must not kiss the dust or eat sand as it is very dangerous to do so. Fight back and keep your hope for survival and fulfillment alive. You still have a chance to rise from where you are fallen. Remember, you are instinctive by nature and naturally endowed to overcome and succeed in life.