Primate Instinct

Dear Teacher,  

Known as the "Houdini," orangutan Ken Allen was a legend at the San Diego Zoo.  Constantly outsmarting his keepers, Ken would frequently escape a maximum-security primate enclosure, just to peacefully walk around the zoo.  During these sightseeing trips, he didn't run wild or attack zoo visitors.  He would simply stroll down the public paths looking at the other animals like he was a visitor.

His only deterrent to peace and tranquility?  Otis.  You see, Ken had a bitter rivalry with another orangutan named Otis. Whenever Ken escaped, he would make a special detour to Otis' cage just to throw rocks at him.  This obsession would perpetually rob Ken of tranquility he sought in his break aways.

The zoo was baffled.  They raised the walls.  They added electric wires.  They even dressed staff up as tourists to spy on him to try and figure out how he was escaping.  But Ken wasn't fooled.  He would just sit and stare at them until they left.  

Desperate, the zoo actually hired professional rock climbers to scale the enclosure walls to find every single tiny finger-hold Ken might be using.  They shaved the walls completely smooth to prevent him from getting out.  Now, as a result of Ken's antics, the zoo gift shops feature "Free Ken Allen" t-shirts in homage of the primate's patterns.

And you, Teacher, there in your classroom, may seek calm and quiet.  In your commutes to and from school, in your sacred time with Jesus, in your walks around the neighborhood, you look for ways to find escape from the 'noise' of life.  

And yet, there's likely a mental wall that prevents you from truly escaping.  Maybe it's dispute with a colleague.  Perhaps it's school board politics.  It might be student's parent who is constantly critical.  Whatever derails your thoughts, it doesn't deserve the detour.  Instead, work to identify the finger-holds of the thought intruder.  As you pursue a peaceful life-walk, may your thoughts find break-away freedom from discord and dissonance, rock-throwing and rivalries, mental anguish and monkey business.

"We break down every thought and proud thing that puts itself up agains the wisdom of God.  We take hold of every thought and make it obey Christ."  ~2 Corinthians 10:5 (NLV)

Monkeying around with you,
Mindy
Christian Educator & School Counselor