Flamingos know it all!

"Wrinkles should merely indicate where smiles have been"

- Mark Twain

When we were younger, me and my sisters would very often go to a local wildlife park, not so far from where we lived. It wasn't a massive place, nor could it really be considered a zoo. But it did have a range of animals that weren't exactly natural to the environment. There were lamas, monkeys, camels and the largest number of flamingos I have ever seen. Not exactly London zoo, but it made for a good day out.

So why this thought of wildlife parks?

Well, today's blog isn't really about wildlife parks, but about flamingos! Those silly, crazy, pink birds that seemed to be the inspiration for a plastic hit in the 80's!

As I was driving on the way to work today, there was a news item on the radio about flamingos. Not exactly the most exciting topic in the world, but it got me thinking none the less. Scientists have been carrying out research into the lifestyle of flamingos and have found some new information about these birds that they didn't know before. Here's what they found;

"Research into the social interaction of flamingo flocks has suggested that the oldest and pinkest flamingos are the most popular and therefore the key individuals in a flock."

Read more here...

WOW! Hilarious. I couldn't help but laugh out loud when I heard this. The oldest and pinkest flamingos are the most popular. That's what I've been missing. Give me a few more years and a couple of pink outfits and I'm in.

Imagine that's how life worked today? The older and pinker you are the more popular you are! Sunburnt pensioners would be right in there if that was the case. Maybe life should be a bit more like this? 

Ok, maybe not about people being pink, but what about those older people in our society? Maybe the older members in your street or family? 

Scientists found that when the older flamingos started doing things, like building nests etc, the younger flamingos would soon follow their example. I wonder how different society would be if we took a little bit more advice and example from those older people around us who, very often, have been through a lot more that we have. People who survived the war, people who worked in hard times, so much advice and knowledge of life and yet, so often we forget about the experience that older people bring with them.

And so I end with this thought.

All of us go through things in life. It's the reason I write this blog. But how often do we turn to those older than us for advice? When we go through difficult times or situations where we are unsure of what to do, how often do we ask advice form those who have more experience of life than us.

So often in society people cast off older people, like they've reached their sell by date. But from my experience, the life stories and life experiences that the older people I know bring with them go far beyond anything anyone else can offer me. They have been there, they've done it, they even have the medals and uniforms to prove it.

Today, don't simply cast off people because of age. Remember, with age comes wisdom and there are plenty of people around you who bring with them advice and experiences that may just help you out of your situation.

Maybe those flamingos aren't such silly birds after all!

Bywyd sydd yn byw! - Just living life!

RM