41 Comments
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David King's avatar

Personal choices have crazy consequences. Some are immediate and some come back to bite us half a lifetime later. We can’t escape choices made by people and groups that we have, or never have had, any direct association with. You may have (or not have ) a conscious philosophy and set of ethics to live by, yet you are not immune to being snared by developing philosophical changes by groups and their ethic, be a member or not. (Remember being drafted?) We are now reaping the rewards of taking our heros from the ranks of CEOs, and financially ept individuals & corporation moral values. (They have them) “It’s just business “ can be an apt metaphor for where we are. Tangled by our own group philosophy. It took a long time to get here. My guess is this revolution started long ago.

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Harley King's avatar

I love the story and the poem.

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C.J. Heck's avatar

Thank you, Harley! You are a giant among men and I appreciate your kind words. 😉💞

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Simone Senisin's avatar

Hi C.J, l really enjoyed reading this, thank you. I like ants too and l guess we humans could learn something about their innate commitment to keeping their community strong. And l guess that our gift from the Universe is our capacity to make choices rather than be complacent in handing over our power to those intent on separating communities. 😊🙏

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C.J. Heck's avatar

And our gift of making choices and thinking for ourselves, not blindly following a leader, no matter the destination, belief, or hero worship.

Once again, we’re on the same page.

Thank you, Simone.

Namaste.

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Simone Senisin's avatar

🙏🏼Namaste

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C.J. Heck's avatar

Yes, Namaste. 😁

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Jo-Ann Petrarca's avatar

I’ve watched ants and they do work hard together. There are too many Chiefs and not enough Indians in this world. When you are who you were meant to be, not what others think, the reality is that you knew who you were all along but afraid to show it. Thank you CJ and rest assured, I’m a leader…

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C.J. Heck's avatar

Way to go, Jo-Ann!

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Sue Cauhape's avatar

That's one of the fun things about being old. We get to wonder about those intriguing choices we didn't make and where they may have led us. Hey, that's good fodder for a writer. Countless true stories that never happened.

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C.J. Heck's avatar

You bet! You just take a real situation that never went anywhere and take it somewhere … Woot-Woot!

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Avery Burns's avatar

Reminds me of a good old song... everybody knows an ant, can't, move a rubber tree plant. Nothing to do with this. I know.

Or would you rather be a pig? 😜

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C.J. Heck's avatar

I remember that song! I can even hear the melody in my mind right now —oh great, it’s one of those that will follow me around for days and won’t go away!

“… I’ve got high hopes … I’ve got high hopes … I’ve got hot apple pie in the sky hopes …”

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Avery Burns's avatar

Oops there goes another to rubber tree plant.

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C.J. Heck's avatar

Hilarious! I hope it follows you everywhere, too, Avery!

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Avery Burns's avatar

I blame Captain Kangaroo.

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C.J. Heck's avatar

😁😁🤣🤣

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Peter Wills's avatar

I love the analogy C.J. Being a follower never leads to good choices!!

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C.J. Heck's avatar

Those were my thoughts exactly, Peter! WOW, you are the first to mention it. Thank you so much!

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Peter Wills's avatar

😉❤️

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Peter Wills's avatar

There’s not enough kindness and love in the world these days C.J. so it’s awesome. The world would be in a better place if we could all express mutual admiration , kindness and love 💕 wouldn’t it!

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C.J. Heck's avatar

You hit the nail on the head, Peter! I agree wholeheartedly!

Thank you! 💞

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Peter Wills's avatar

lol loads of winky eyes 😉 and hearts 💞 this morning C.J. Mutual admiration I love it 😊!!

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C.J. Heck's avatar

Thank you, Sir. Your kind words and support are so appreciated!

😉😁😉😁💞

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Peter Wills's avatar

😂😂😂😂 I’m not sure Sir suits me C.J. I appreciate it. But you can call me Pete 😉 ❤️

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C.J. Heck's avatar

Okay. That works for me, Pete. Now I feel like we’re almost besties. Thank you. (wink)

❤️

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Peter Wills's avatar

Absolutely 😉 it was great messaging you today C.J.

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C.J. Heck's avatar

Always a pleasure. 😉

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Peter Wills's avatar

You’re welcome C.J. ❤️

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C.J. Heck's avatar

😉😉💞

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Peter Wills's avatar

It made me think C.J. Especially today!! Great read❤️

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C.J. Heck's avatar

Thank you, thank you, thank you, Peter.

Yes, especially today. ❤️😒

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mitch's avatar

Do we as Americans have choices now ? just asking , Great writing C J

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C.J. Heck's avatar

Thanks, Mitch! (I hope we do have choices)

hugs

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mitch's avatar

Me too C J . I would rather have colonoscopy than watch Trump today . I saw 5 minutes of him last night it was 4 minutes to much . Hugs and love to all your family

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C.J. Heck's avatar

The man is an embarrassment …

hugs to you, Mitch

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Dave Karpowicz's avatar

CJ, Very well said. How often do we go along not even realizing that we have choices. D

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Dave Karpowicz's avatar

CJ, Very well said. How often do we go along not even realizing that we have choices. D

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C.J. Heck's avatar

Good point, Dave. Thank you for your kind comments.

😉😉💞

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Elizabeth Grace Martinez's avatar

this is the epitome of what comes in when you pay attention. I always assumed the ants brought the crumb back to show everyone, but you're saying it was a sort of telepathic signal?

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C.J. Heck's avatar

Hi Elizabeth. I’m as much in the dark as the next person, but I think the first ant laid a scent down for ‘helpers’ to follow. Or the first one to find the crumbs sent a signal of some sort for the others. I’m only guessing. 😉 My main focus was on the fact that they were only followers.

Thank you for reading and for taking time to comment! ❤️💞

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