Sometimes I Compare Myself To The Turtle
Are you wondering yet just how odd a title this is?
Don't worry. I wondered the same thing too when it popped in my head a few months ago. At the time I thought it weird, ludicrous even, but then I wrote it down, put it in my 'parking lot,' and said one day I'll actually think about it. Well I'm done thinking now.
Firstly, I've always loved turtles and if for no other reason than that my Dad loved them as well. Secondly, I think they are cute...yeah bite me...I do think they are cute. I even have garden lights shaped like turtles. Thirdly, every time I see a turtle I am reminded of my Dad. I remember one of the times when he was in the hospital, the only concern he had was the keep and care of his precious turtles and if they were being fed properly. Yes Daddy, they still are being taken care of, not to worry.
Anyway...here are my TOP 10 DID YOU KNOW TURTLE FACTS
Their hard shells help to protect them from predators.
As the turtle grows, their shell expands to accommodate them.
Turtles have a skeleton, just like us, and their shell is a part of their skeleton.
Turtles are either carnivores, herbivores or omnivores. According to Let it Grow Foundation, 'many baby turtles start life as carnivores but grow to eat more plants as they mature.' Does that remind you of anything? For me it does. Many of us humans start out eating lots of meats until we get older and the doctor reminds us, ever so nicely, of how important it is for us to have our veggies.
Veggies are important to turtles; they need the vitamin A found in this food group to help prevent swollen eyes which can lead to their blindness. They do not store Vitamin A so make sure to include it in their diet.
Turtles carry salmonella, the bacteria, in their intestinal tracts and shed it in their stool. If you handle turtles, our their living space, please ensure to wash your hands properly afterwards.
A major distinguishing feature is that males have longer tails than females🤔
Most people don’t realize this, but many turtles recognize the sight and sounds of their owners! I've witnessed this over and over as I grew up always having turtles around. Even though in the past I've ate a few🤦🏾♀️.
They have very long life spans but are an endangered specie.
Tu'i Malila holds the record for the turtle that has lived the longest. Believed to have been 188 years old at the time of death.
After writing the above points, it dawned on me, that comparing myself to a turtle, in some respect, wasn't so bad after all. The one point that stood out for me was that turtles have a hard outer shell to help protect them from predators. Like the turtle, we as humans have the propensity to develop hard outer shells to protect us from the predators among us. Predators such as hurt, anger, disappointment, fear, loneliness and loss; all derived from our interactions with other humans and daily life.
Again, like the turtle, we too grow and expand our 'shell' the more experiences we go through in life.
My most fun moment with a turtle
I went snorkeling in Barbados some years ago and it was the most beautiful experience ever. Being under water with them and being close enough to touch them. AWESOME. They were massive, not like the little things I had in my back yard at home, and I wasn't even afraid. Disclaimer...I cannot swim, so my snorkeling was as far and deep as my float would allow, considering it as also tied to the boat for 'my' safe keeping😂🤣😂.
Moral of the story
When next something pops in your head, don't dismiss it, as trivial or weird as it might seem at the time. Investigate it a bit, you may be on to the next big thing. And even if it turns out to be weird and ludicrous...laugh at yourself. Life is too short to have unhappy days.
Until next time folks, have a safe, productive and loving rest of week. One love.💓
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