Lessons from Jonathan

There is something to be said for hanging around a long time. If you have odd quirks, people tend to be more accepting because that's "just the sway he/she is." Being accepted and not seen as a deterrent or threat is not a bad thing by any means. In fact, if one sticks around long enough, they can even become beloved. Take Jonathan for example. Jonathan is a Seychelles giant tortoise who was born in 1832. He currently resides on St. Helena, a remote island situated in the South Atlantic and is, without question, the oldest living creature on the planet. Yes, he is now blind and moves around slowly even by tortoise standards. All that aside, he is beloved and, not surprisingly, a big tourist attraction.

I cannot imagine being 187 years of age. Sadly, as much as I might want to, I realize the odds are quite strong that I never will. Yet Jonathan knows what is it like though because he is a big turtle, the odds are just as great that he will never share his perspective with the rest of us. That is too bad, of course, since I am sure he would some very interesting things to say. For instance, has he noticed any perceptible improvement in how well we communicate not in terms of our technological advances but more in the basic one-on-one, two people having a conversation dynamic?

I suspect we won't know the secret of Jonathan's long life until he eventually does die and an autopsy is performed on him. At that point, doctors may learn if his organs were any different - better - than those of other tortoises. Maybe. If I had to guess, I would say one reason for Jonathan's longevity is the fact, as a turtle, he rarely is in a hurry. Not only does he move at a slow pace, but I bet how he communicates with his peers is slow and deliberate, too. Perhaps there is a lesson in that for us humans who seem to be in such a hurry so much of the time. Perhaps when we talk we with each other we might want to do as Jonathan does. Not only might we live longer, but maybe we might be communicate more effectively as well.