Credit to : Multiple news sources stock photo of monkey "There is no easy walk to freedom anywhere, and many of us will have to pass through the valley of the shadow of death again and again before we reach the mountaintop of our desires."
-Nelson Mandela
Zimm, a three-year-old Sulawesi macaque, escaped from the Memphis Zoo. I thought it was a funny and curious story and then I thought about it. How awesome? No seriously, how awesome? This particular Sulawesi macaque monkey had been living her life in confinement decided to be free. Zimm scaled the walls, made a maneuver and took off into the Memphis bluesy streets.
Here are my top 5 ideas that ZIMM inspired:
1. Freedom is never easy and often is an illusion granted at a glimpse by those more free then you. The other monkeys thought they were free. Deep down Zimm knew that she wasn't and decided to turn a dream into reality. Zimm looked at her life and decided that these bars granted just weren't enough for her happiness.
2. Proper planning is good but action is better. I envision Zimm consistently bringing ideas to the other Macaque and them thinking she was crazy. Zimm did not listen she planned and then went into action. I learned that you cannot wait for others to help you with your dreams.
3. Do not panic. Once Zimm was free she took time to notice her surroundings. She did not worry about those who were too afraid to follow. Zimm realized there will always be some happy with confinement. Comfortability lessons the desire for greatness. She evaluated then she took the best route and did not look back.
4. Many will try to capture, detain, and/or oust your dreams. Only you have the power to let them. Even in captivity Zimm spirit was always free. She did not let training, years of safety, comfortable surroundings, or the seemingly normalness take away her spirit to be free.
5. Sometimes life is just a choice to live. Nature has always given Man a beautiful guide of how to interact. I wish ZIMM freedom. I love the zoo. I love being able to see the animals and learn about them. I understand that most are hurt in the wild and some are rehabilitated to have decent lives. But sometimes when I go, I am sad. I want the animals to be free and be able to chase their dreams. It is the little kid inside of me that wanted to free my goldfish down a toilet. I thought he would make it to the ocean. When I go to the zoo, I wonder how many of the animals know that they are trapped. Have they given up hope? Is this all they are meant for? To be watched, gawked at, enjoyed by others, for me, this brief moment of ZIMM being free offered a moment to witness what happens when a being decides that by any means necessary it will be free. Long live Zimm. Run ZIMM! If they ever catch you, which will most likely happen. They will come disguised as friends and offer you shiny things to eat. I hope that you never lose your freedom or your will to see beyond the bars that they offer.
-URBAN THOUGHTS
-Nelson Mandela
Zimm, a three-year-old Sulawesi macaque, escaped from the Memphis Zoo. I thought it was a funny and curious story and then I thought about it. How awesome? No seriously, how awesome? This particular Sulawesi macaque monkey had been living her life in confinement decided to be free. Zimm scaled the walls, made a maneuver and took off into the Memphis bluesy streets.
Here are my top 5 ideas that ZIMM inspired:
1. Freedom is never easy and often is an illusion granted at a glimpse by those more free then you. The other monkeys thought they were free. Deep down Zimm knew that she wasn't and decided to turn a dream into reality. Zimm looked at her life and decided that these bars granted just weren't enough for her happiness.
2. Proper planning is good but action is better. I envision Zimm consistently bringing ideas to the other Macaque and them thinking she was crazy. Zimm did not listen she planned and then went into action. I learned that you cannot wait for others to help you with your dreams.
3. Do not panic. Once Zimm was free she took time to notice her surroundings. She did not worry about those who were too afraid to follow. Zimm realized there will always be some happy with confinement. Comfortability lessons the desire for greatness. She evaluated then she took the best route and did not look back.
4. Many will try to capture, detain, and/or oust your dreams. Only you have the power to let them. Even in captivity Zimm spirit was always free. She did not let training, years of safety, comfortable surroundings, or the seemingly normalness take away her spirit to be free.
5. Sometimes life is just a choice to live. Nature has always given Man a beautiful guide of how to interact. I wish ZIMM freedom. I love the zoo. I love being able to see the animals and learn about them. I understand that most are hurt in the wild and some are rehabilitated to have decent lives. But sometimes when I go, I am sad. I want the animals to be free and be able to chase their dreams. It is the little kid inside of me that wanted to free my goldfish down a toilet. I thought he would make it to the ocean. When I go to the zoo, I wonder how many of the animals know that they are trapped. Have they given up hope? Is this all they are meant for? To be watched, gawked at, enjoyed by others, for me, this brief moment of ZIMM being free offered a moment to witness what happens when a being decides that by any means necessary it will be free. Long live Zimm. Run ZIMM! If they ever catch you, which will most likely happen. They will come disguised as friends and offer you shiny things to eat. I hope that you never lose your freedom or your will to see beyond the bars that they offer.
-URBAN THOUGHTS