Survival of the Fittest

Lesson #2

Would You Survive?

Part 2. Survival of the Fittest

I'm sure most of you have heard of the  "Survival of the fittest", but is that still relative in today's times?  Has technology advanced our race to the point that 'survival' has become a right instead of a privilege?  

Charles Darwin wrote:

"This preservation, during the battle for life, of varieties which possess any advantage in structure, constitution, or instinct, I have called Natural Selection.  The term "natural selection" is in some respects a bad one, as it seems to imply conscious choice; but this will be disregarded after a little familiarity". (1)

I want to break down this long statement because it has a couple of key points which are in sync with the GFY Method and one major disagreement.  Quick disclaimer that I must make before continuing - agree or disagree with Darwin's overall theory, but do not let that create a mental block.  I am not discussing the origins of species, nor theology here.  Evolution vs. Bible is for another blog, not this one.  

Darwin mentioned of a "battle for life" because in basic terms that's exactly what life is all about.  Survival has different meanings to everyone yet the most simple definition has been forgotten.  We live a comfortable, yet excessive, life because of the innovations and advancements in every field since the beginning of times.  Running water, electricity, plastic, and many other inventions increased life expectancy and decreased some of life's hardships.  No longer must people hunt for food or worry about attacks from wild animals.  When was the last time you looked left and right when crossing a street fearful of being mauled by an angry bear?  Sounds funny I know, but that was reality for people colonizing the New World.  What I'm getting at here is that Darwin's natural selection idea doesn't seem to fit in our times, but the realty of things is that we aren't equal and life isn't fair. I'm sure each and one of you have once muttered in displeasure about someone else's riches, God given talent, or anatomical advantage.  If my last statement is false then infomercials wouldn't be successful selling garbage to people. 

Conscious choices one makes do determine the kind of survival one will have.  In today's times the kind of jobs we pursue, the relationships we establish, and the actions we take to our problems determine if survival will be positive or negative.  Sheep survive too, but the point of GFY is to survive and take life by the horns.  Getting by in life with your head down isn't living in the GFY book.  Think of the opportunities that passed by you because of the complacent mentality today's times have instilled in most people. "As long as I have food, a mate, and some entertainment I am a happy person and life is wonderful."  Is that you?  Really?  What about wanting more and wanting to be on top... wanting to be a somebody? Being a go getter and feeling good about your accomplishments is what GFY is all about... survival of the fittest 2012 style!  Pick a team... which team are you part of?

I'll leave you with a couple of GFY questions and thoughts that might seem crude and harsh, but then again so is the reality that most live in.  I touched on these questions in Part 1 of "Would You Survive?".

Would you survive the Titanic or 9/11?  Seems like a pretty straight forward question and I know most of you have already answered yes to both tragedies, but consider my take on why I know most of you are lying to yourselves.  The Titanic perished in the Atlantic with only 710 people surviving out of 2,224 people on board.  The lifeboats had a capacity of 1,178.   Would you be on one of those lifeboats?  Or would you let others in front of you because it's the 'nice' thing to do?

My issue is the men and women that passed up the opportunity to jump on a lifeboat when the chance presented itself.  Yes, the boat had a "women and children" protocol that was enforced by the ship's crew, but if there is a will there is a way.  I would have made my way on a boat no matter what I would have had to do (I know that sounds shocking to some) but I don't want to be a hero and take a bullet for anyone else.  My life and survival are very important to me and there is nothing wrong with that.  I know this is different from what you have been made to believe, but think rationally and ask yourselves how much do you really love yourselves if you perish in that accident?  I will continue with this thought throughout the course and I promise that you will get it.

Next let's discuss the 9/11 tragedy that will never be forgotten.  Eyewitness accounts and official reports came out years later that people in the towers wanted to leave the buildings after the first building was struck by the plane.  To their better judgement, people listened to security officers telling them the fires were being put out.   Most people headed back to the offices as if everything would be ok.   Would you run out of the towers or remain because a public official's judgement is better than yours?  Would you have followed your instinct to survive?

Be honest when you answer my questions because without honesty no real insight will be gained from the GFY Method. Yes those two tragedies are extreme, but I'm trying to stimulate and open your minds to the idea that survival means loving yourself. We have been given one mind and one body ... a precious gift that I believe most people are taking for granted. Don't let life slip away from your grip because you are only doing a disservice to yourself to waste it.