A human on a mission, is much like a Squirrel. Let’s add some context.

Sometimes I liken myself to the wily, tiny animals because I get an idea and run with it, but I freely admit, I can be easily distracted.

Steady as she goes, but WAAAAIT look over there!

According to Animal Behavior Corner, squirrels are active and curious, check! I think my curiosity might be annoying to some people, but I also think most folks really like talking about themselves, so they spill… sometimes too much. That’s great for a journalist because some people really just need someone to vent to, and you will do. 

Let’s compare how humans and certain squirrels can be similar and how it factors into the human experience. 

Ground squirrels, the website says, are social, and lean on their squirrel friends for safety and support. Other types of squirrels, like tree squirrels, tend to be solitary. Check, check! I can be both. I like being super social, but sometimes it feels too stimulating, then I like being alone (a little too much perhaps).

There are social signs with these animals, they use their voices, wag their tails and with body language. Not unlike humans, except maybe the whole tail wagging part… so, check!

These animals check all around themselves while out in the wild. They use their senses of sight, smell, hearing, and touch. Sounds about right, except we don’t necessarily touch everything around us. But some people must, because they don’t have the luxury of sight. So, check!

Squirrels hide food, and shelter themselves in trees, humans don’t really do that, but if you look at us storing food in cupboards and cabinets and staying inside during certain weather events, then we are one and the same, so, check, check!

And lastly, a squirrel that feels threatened or attacked, may run away to protect themselves, or they become aggressive with powerful punches and kicks. I mean, I wouldn’t necessarily do that, but sure, I’d run away from someone if I felt threatened, figuratively and literally. But I wouldn’t punch or kick someone. I may want to wallop them, but it would be through words, and not physical action. So, again, I’m going to say, check!

Here’s the thing about being human, we are animals, in the deepest sense of the word. We echo any number of animal behaviors. But animals can be animals when they’re not held captive. Us humans are expected, in the wild, to be polite, professional and kind. 🫡

If we wandered around just showing our mood to the world, it might not go well. We’ve all dealt with some doozies, haven’t we? 

And I wonder why are some of us so angry? 🤔