Sleeping Zebras

Learning from a herd of zebras without traveling to the grasslands of Africa.

© by the author

So, zebras often can be seen standing while they sleep. They do that for a good reason: to be ready to take off immediately if a predator approaches. I just noticed that my subconscious seems to belief I am a zebra: constantly on guard against the attack, against the unknown threat out there. Even though that the metaphorical lions around me are way less deadly. I should practice laying me down to rest in confidence.

Are zebras white with black stripes or black with white stripes? This is easy to tell: shave a zebra and you see it has black skin. So, next time I ponder about an issue, I also might try to shave the fur and see the skin beneath. (the zebras fur is black and white, though. Might want to consider that too in my reflections…).

When a zebra is lying in the sun, the white stripes are up to 18 degrees cooler than the dark ones. Pure physics, I know… but metaphorically, my bright stripes of thinking might let me be cooler than painting my life all dark. If my daily life is heating up more than I like, I might think about how to grow more bright stripes on my mental skin.

Zebra stripes are unique like fingerprints. Just like the bright and dark stripes of our minds. Each and everyone has its own pattern and being aware of that, helps me recognize the individual and understand their map of the world is different than mine.

And last but not least, zebras are constantly on the move for fresh grass to eat and water to drink. Which reminds me to stay open, curious and hungry for spiritual nourishment. Always keep moving, looking for more food for thought and wisdom that grows out there.

And one more fun thing to do, now that you know zebras have black skin and white stripes. Look at a zebra image and try to see it as a black horse with white stripes. See how our brain is wired to interpret contrast?

And of course… since I have never traveled to Africa, the image shows a sleeping herd of fisher boats with the typical black and white stripes of the genovese fleet (Sestri Levante, Liguria, Italy).

Thank you very much for the time you spent with me and for the claps and feedback you left.