God-Like

animal |ˈanəməl|

noun

a living organism that feeds on organic matter, typically having specialized sense organs and nervous system and able to respond rapidly to stimuli

• any such living organism other than a human being.

Let’s go back to the Genesis, the beginning of the universe. As scripture has it, God created light, earth, animals, and then he decided to create man. He set man apart from everything else, who He created in the image and likeness of Himself. This, I think, is the coolest part about being a human – we’re all God-like. And this characteristic sets us apart from all other forms of life. I think by now, you’re probably wondering why I decided to mention this brief history lesson, well this is just to provide some background for my word of choice in this blog entry – animal. In Cebuano the pronunciation is entirely different from the English one, I don’t know how to put it in writing though. Animal, in Cebuano, is used much like how hayop is used in Tagalog. Why don’t I want to be associated with this particular word?

Well for one, it’s degrading. It dehumanizes my humanity by tagging me as just “a living organism that feeds on organic matter, typically having specialized sense organs and nervous system and able to respond rapidly to stimuli. ” It takes away what it means to be a man, and leaves me as just a piece of meat who feeds on other pieces of meat. Not only that, it also takes away my reason and my control. What are we without reason and control? Drunk? Okay, maybe. But then again, drunks still retain a little bit of reason and control depending on how many drinks they got into their system. Anyway! What are we without reason and control? Yes you guessed right, ANIMALS! (if you were wrong, it’s ok)

So how can we, how can I, be associated with this word? Every time that our reason escapes us or when we are enslaved by our passions can associate us with being animals. Just like how animals are enslaved by their instinct we can be like an animal if we are enslaved by our emotions, our passions – food, lust, power, greed, and the like. And now, how can I avoid situations like these; situations where I am animal-like instead of God-like? Well, one way is to think before I act. My high school teacher once told me that every task deserves at least three seconds to be thought over. Whenever we want to act, we should always devote some time to ponder over the consequences of doing such an act. Unlike a fish who bites a hook and dies because of its stupidity, we humans have the power to perceive consequences, although it is a power that some find it difficult to exercise.

Looking back at my life, I can clearly say that I have been enslaved by my passions at some times. I have fallen to the animal inside everyone of us. And this reminds me of a quote from the movie “Lord of War.” Nick Cage sees a sign in his brother, Vitali’s (I think that’s right) kitchen “Beware of the dog,” then he asks Vitali where’s the dog. Vitali answers that the sign is to keep him aware of the animal inside of us, the dog inside of us. Then Nick Cage says “What if being the dog is the best part? What if we’re all just two-legged dogs?” Thought provoking, wouldn’t you say? So, despite the presence of the animal instinct in every one of us, falling to it isn’t the end though (cliche warning), it’s standing up again that counts.

 

~ by denisSsSsSs on March 2, 2008.