www.ismaili.net

Over the years I've been teaching kids about a simple but
powerful concept - the ant philosophy. I think everybody should
study ants. They have an amazing four-part philosophy, and here
is the first part: ants never quit. That's a good philosophy. If
they're headed somewhere and you try to stop them; they'll look
for another way. They'll climb over, they'll climb under,
they'll climb around. They keep looking for another way. What a
neat philosophy, to never quit looking for a way to get where
you're supposed to go.

Second, ants think winter all summer. That's an important
perspective. You can't be so naive as to think summer will last
forever. So ants are gathering in their winter food in the
middle of summer.

An ancient story says, "Don't build your house on the sand in
the summer." Why do we need that advice? Because it is important
to think ahead. In the summer, you've got to think storm. You've
got to think rocks as you enjoy the sand and sun.

The third part of the ant philosophy is that ants think summer
all winter. That is so important. During the winter, ants remind
themselves, "This won't last long; we'll soon be out of here."
And the first warm day, the ants are out. If it turns cold
again, they'll dive back down, but then they come out the first
warm day. They can't wait to get out.

And here's the last part of the ant philosophy. How much will an
ant gather during the summer to prepare for the winter? All that
he possibly can. What an incredible philosophy, the
"all-that-you-possibly-can" philosophy.

Wow, what a great philosophy to have - the ant philosophy. Never
give up, look ahead, stay positive and do all you can.