Sunday 28 July 2013

Adaptedness

Since any form of life began on this here planet, it has been constantly changing, constantly adapting in order to better survive and function. Adaptation is a process, one that allows organisms to adjust to their environment and thereby live in their habitat via challenges and experiences. Each adaptive trait is categorized as either behavioral, structural or physiological and can be inherited or learnt over time. As these changes occur, adaptedness (the state of being adapt, degree to which one can live in their habitat) is reached.

In animals, mimicry (changing their physical appearance to match that of another species) is an obvious showing of adaptation. Take for instance this moth who has developed two sets of fake eyes on it's wings to symbolize multiple species, instead of one large target. There is also the long process of adaptation that occurs within a whole species such as the camel, who's long legs keep it further from the hot sand and who's hump stores fat so it can travel long distances without food or water. The term 'natural selection' stems from adaptations that animals undergo and those who adapt with the most success outlive other members of the same species, therefore being the ones that reproduce and pass on their adaptedness.

It is not only plants and animals that undergo adaptations though. Every day humans are constantly adapting to their surrounding environments and are in the struggle to be better fit for their habitat. The way that we respond to challenges of any sort help us to adapt, as do new experiences that we thrust ourselves head on into. It seems that the more we experience one situation we either grow to appreciate it or find a way to change it. Really, what can we as individuals aim for more than to be happy, enjoying what we are doing and living to the best of our ability in a habitat?

For some time now it seems that everyday creates an opportunity to adapt, to create change within myself in order to be happy and live the life that I dream of! A new opportunity to teach has presented itself to me and in three weeks I will be seizing the opportunity. It entails a move from Hat Yai, Songkhla to Krabi Town, Krabi. Krabi is also a Southern Thailand province; it is bordered by the Andaman Sea, has multiple islands just a boat ride away and is dotted by immense, beautiful limestone formations. With a new habitat to adapt to, it seems only appropriate to continue living by the words of James Otto, "I'm gonna fly just as high as I want to, and I'm gonna roll like the river anywhere that I choose. Ain't nothing gonna slow me down and I ain't gonna stop".