Ecology of Self-Determination
“A seed only begins to manifest its greatest potential the day it is buried in dirt.”
~Matshona Dhliwayo
First let’s define ecology.
The following definitions of “ecology” come from Dictionary.com:
- The branch of biology dealing with the relations and interactions between organisms and their environment, including other organisms.
- The set of relationships existing between organisms and their environment: desert ecologies.
- The set of relationships existing between any complex system and its surroundings or environment: the ecology and politics of healthcare.
- Also called human ecology. The branch of sociology concerned with the spacing and interdependence of people and institutions.
Now let’s look at a simple example of ecology. In the spring, many of us desire to bring plants into our outdoor spaces. If we head to the local garden store and simply buy a bunch of seeds and plants without considering the ecology of our spaces, the chances of cultivating a thriving garden are pretty slim. When we plant seeds, we need to consider soil quality, sunlight, temperature, and watering needs. Each plant is different. It’s also important to consider the combination of plants we wish to grow, and how they interact with one another. Tomatoes planted beside a lower growing plant will steal the sun as it grows taller, and the smaller plants won’t grow.
It’s a little mind-blowing when you consider all the potential held in a tiny little seed. It’s very easy to look at a tomato seed as we plant it and think it will never amount to anything. Then as time moves forward and we tend to it, the seed grows into a plant, and as we tend to the needs of the plant, we get to see it grow. Eventually the plant flowers, and little green tomatoes pop out. Growing tomatoes requires patience, but with the right care and attention we can have a beautiful harvest at the end of summer.
For Reflection
Have you ever felt moved by nature? Think of a time when you felt a surge of hope related to the resilience of nature. For example, this could be a time when a nearly dead houseplant grew a new leaf after some care and attention. Or perhaps you had the opportunity to walk through a forest that was previously devastated by fire, and you saw the forest restoring itself.
What did you see? Please describe below.
The Difference Between Environment and Ecology
Environment
An environment is simply the static surroundings someone or something is embedded within. When we speak of “environment” we are speaking about the conditions surrounding a living thing. Some environments are very static, especially if you consider places like hospitals, malls, or offices. There is much less interconnection, uniqueness of self, working together, and choice in an environment.
Let’s look at another example of a more static environment: Consider a teenager entering high school for the first time. Many of us felt like small fish in a big pond when we were that age. There were