Human progress a slow process
Mark Pavilons

"I was taught that the way of progress is neither swift nor easy."

Marie Curie

"The reason why the race of man moves slowly is because it must move all together."

Thomas Brackett Reed

You'd think after four million years on this planet, human beings would be a bit further ahead on the evolutionary ladder.

But, I've been reminded by scientists that evolution is a painfully slow process and certain creatures only move ahead in baby steps, even after millions and millions of years.

No one has really explained why the dolphin (actually related to the cow) evolved twice - it came out of the water, grew legs, got fed up with being a land mammal, and went back into the water.

We know our dolphin friends are very intelligent and I'm confident they're keeping secrets from us. Despite their brain power, they never invented fire, cars or disposable cameras. But, by the same token, they're also not responsible for global warming, depletion of natural resources, murder and mayhem.

Hey, they are more evolved!

Some argue that our painfully slow progress in almost every regard is due to our own stupidity.

It could also be argued that ignorance, stupidity, committees and decision makers all hold back progress.

The Good Lord never saw fit to give us humble humans a handbook on living, and making the most of our earthly existence. I suppose we are all works in progress and each one of us writes our own book as we go along. Perhaps the purpose of life is to experience all we can and learn from those experiences. Falling down is as easy as it looks.

Maybe we do grow as individuals. With each new experience we soak up, maybe our brains, hearts and souls get a little bigger or brighter.

Unfortunately, due to the rat race we've created for ourselves in the "civilized" west, we likely don't spend a lot of time on personal development or absorbing soul-lifting insights. Also unfortunate is that we begin to figure it all out in our declining twilight years.

We humans should be organizing and gathering our thoughts, to share our insights with one another. Far too often it seems we are not working as cohesive units or teams, but as selfcentred individuals, at odds with one another. Even when we assemble into reputable groups, it's a chess game, an us vs. them approach to problem solving.

For us to progress, shouldn't we all be locking arms singing We Are the World?

There are many little tidbits of information and sage pieces of advice to pass along to live a merrier and perhaps more progressive life. Here goes ...

Never let anyone treat you badly. None of us deserves to be belittled or abused in any way. We are bright critters, capable of sitting down and talking over our differences. Being assertive and self-assured will help us stand out and be counted. Conversely, don't treat others like garbage because you don't agree with them or their opinions. Everyone should be treated equally and yes, be held accountable for their actions.

Similarly, we have no right to judge - that task should only be undertaken by the Good Lord Himself.

You can't make people like or respect you, so there's no point in going overboard. We all have something to offer and what's really important is below the surface. Be yourself, all the time. Love and respect will come. Heck, don't be afraid to raise a few eyebrows along the way. Compose your own music!

Always act like you're paying attention and never wait for someone to say something interesting. Keep nodding politely - it'll take you far.

Form an opinion on everything. And yes, your opinion does matter. We all have a unique insight and slant on things. The more opinions the sweeter the pot.

If you think you can't, think again. Don't let anyone tell you something is impossible and always take pride in your accomplishments, big or small.

Where emotions are concerned, never lose the ability to love and never, ever hate.

We can't resist change so we need to embrace it. There's no need to fear it, either. Change will occur whether we're willing participants or not.

We all know the world will never run out of monkey wrenches because it will never run out of monkeys.

But maybe we can evolve together, in unison.

Someone has to make the first move!