We need to humbly remember we share a world with amazing creatures.
A short while ago I saw a short video – you know, the ones on YouTube or TikTok that are meant to grab your attention for about three seconds. This one went for about 30 seconds and in it showed someone working at an aquarium who was cleaning a tank. While cleaning, a small shark swam straight up and demanded to have its belly scratched.
The diver stopped work, rolled the shark over and scratched the shark’s belly for a good while. I’m not sure the shark was quite wagging its tail like a dog, but it seemed to be having a great time.
One of the comments on the video that popped up surprised me:
‘In a world where there are creatures that love to be petted, how wonderful it is to be blessed with hands.’
CAPACITY TO BRING JOY
Such a humbling statement. A reminder that even our hands have the capacity to bring joy to other creatures – including ones that we might otherwise swim away from.
If we listen, Earth constantly reminds us of our humanly limitations and gifts. And we must not forget that other beings have wisdom different to ours.
Humans, try as we might, will never have wings. Flight is a limitation of all humans. Insects and birds have evolved vastly different methods of flying. Some species of bee are so incredible that their ability to fly defies science.
It is a gift of humans to be able to whistle, and yet we have used that gift to try to emulate the beauty of bird song. Through the gift of music, we have been able to create something as complex as an orchestra or as catchy as Taylor Swift’s music. And birds have done the same (maybe not the Taylor Swift part).
We may sometimes forget that dolphins and whales have their own languages. The gift of language has helped humans do a great number of things. It is unfortunate that some use that gift to hurt others and say unkind things. When we listen to dolphins and whales, we are humbled in the face of the diversity of language, and it is a reminder to use our gift with care.
Humility in relationship to other beings means several things, I think. Humbly we need to remember we share many similarities with other creatures but that they have developed their own wisdom to be able to do amazing things. Ants are builders. Snakes get around without any legs. Turtles navigate using a kind of magnet in their brain.
We must also remember that our actions can harm and affect these amazing beings.
OUR ACTIONS AND THEIR EFFECTS
Can we gently ask ourselves, which of our actions harm other beings? Which actions make the loves of other beings more challenging? Which are necessary for our human needs?
All of creation suffers. Death is an integral part of life. Nutrients and energy must flow to sustain life.
But when we spray harmful chemicals that kill thousands of insects who perform a vital role in the ecosystem, is this harm avoidable?
When we litter, or pollute single-use plastics into the world, turtles and seabirds suffer. On average, dead sea turtles are found with 22 pieces of plastic in their intestines. But there have been instances where it has only taken just one piece to kill a turtle. Is it necessary for us to manufacture, purchase and discard single-use water bottles that harm other beings as they break down?
When our eyes are closed at night, do we need to leave so many lights on in our homes? Some light is important for many of us to feel safe at night, but external lights can confuse small mammals and attract moths so they fly at the light until exhausted and disoriented.
HEAVENLY VIRTUE
Humility is a heavenly virtue that we can consider in terms of our ‘humanness’ and our ‘earthling-ness’. We are first and foremost earthlings or earth-beings. Second, we are human.
Other earth-beings also demonstrate humility. Prey is humble in the face of the predator. Rocks are humble in the face of the rushing river. Animals are humbled by the storm and seek shelter from its power. The bee humbly takes only what it needs from the flower. And the mother hen humbly sits upon her eggs.
How do your hands bring joy?
Alice is an ex-teacher who provides formation to schools on the topic of Integral Ecology. She is passionate about bringing Laudato Si’ to life and developing an eco-spirituality.
Image: Getty
This article first appeared in the autumn 2026 edition of Madonna magazine.
