Natural Selection

Traditionally, within nature, the specialist is thought to be the biggest, the strongest, the most intimidating of all creatures. Creatures, with huge frames, are able to support huge bundles of muscles giving the traditional specialist incredible strength and a formidable appearance. Similar to the Saber Tooth Tiger, the most notable archetype in nature, the traditional specialist is overly adapted to a very specific environment. Consequently, the traditional specialist limits their overall ability to adapt. Becoming static in a dynamic environment is an action that drives the traditional specialist into extinction because of their inability to adjust to abrupt change. When abrupt change does occur, the biggest and the strongest find it difficult to sustain their massive size which offers no guarantee for survival. Dependency on a specific, static environment causes the traditional specialist to become predictable, resistant to change. Predictable actions are only effective within predictable environments.

The true specialist is not the biggest nor the strongest. Usually, the true specialist is the creature that is able to ‘weather to the storm’, able to react to multiple situations while establishing an equilibrium within a dynamic environment. Adaptability, the ability to adjust to change, is flexibility. Flexibility (of the mind & body) is what it means to be strong. Fueled by determination, ‘Heart’, the mind is able to find a fulcrum which allows the body to remain malleable and flow according to the thoughts of the mind. A flexible mind has a greater potential to react to a changing environment. This potential is manifested within the body.

What limits (and often prevents) smooth, effortless adaptation? Panicking, that which nothing good can come about, slows down reaction time, clouds the mind and chokes the body. Narcissism leads to over confidence. A distorted sense of being warps one’s perception and leads to misguided reactions. Irregular breathing slows down reaction time by diverting attention away from making adjustments to catching one’s breath. Dependency on a specific environment, a specific strength, such as physical or visual strength, or a specific movement creates an appearance of adaptability. This appearance soon vanishes as the changes within the environment increases.

Water exists in three states, each flows the same but at different rates. Glaciers flow, rivers flow, and steam flows. Each of the three states are extremely different, yet, the movement of water (ebbs &) flows according to a natural path which offers the least resistance. The adaptation of water seems so seamless because water (ebbs &) flows with little resistance. Like water, the true specialist is able to flow in a variety of states while offering little resistance. Within a mental state, a specialist is able to focus their intent on making quick, efficient adjustments. Within a physical state, a specialist is able to remain flexible allowing for natural adaptation to a changing environment. Within an emotional state, a specialist is able to achieve a balance between thoughts and instincts. Water adapts to it’s environment, conforming to it’s container. A specialist adapts to their environment, conforming to nature.

-William Giles