Spirit in Work
by Galina Pembroke

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How the Beaver Reveals the Creativity of Housework …

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Animal behaviorists argue that dam building is an instinctive, thoughtless pursuit; merely a reflex response to the sound of running water. Is it really? Only a beaver and the Divine have the final answer. One thing is certain; regardless of whether or not the beaver is aware of the results of his productivity, his labor teaches us about far more than just architecture. This fifty-pound, vegetarian rodent reveals how all work has meaning — especially housework.

Voluntary Simplicity

As surely as Martha Stewart has shown us one hundred new ways to clean, housework is a creative process. In our domestic duties, we are fashioning our environment. Our living quarters are a statement of spirit; be it the busy inner-world of clutter, or the sparse haven of organization. Neither is better. Both are starting points to examine our spirit.

Even the most seemingly mundane of tasks can be turned into a creative venture. The key to this is simplicity. Most wild animals demonstrate this resourcefulness in their use of their natural environment. Unlike us, animals — even those with opposable thumbs — can’t dial up a pizza at their convenience. Everything is made from scratch. The beaver is a particularly good example. His house is literally scratched, dug, and made from the ground up. All this is accomplished with adequate, but never any unnecessary help. If we as humans were this self-reliant and minimalist, we would have far less waste and a much healthier planet.

Sticks and Stones

Together with a mate and three or four “kits,” beavers live with their families in a self-made lodge. These quarters are cozy, averaging only ten feet high by fifteen feet wide. More impressive than the size of their shelter is the unity in making this awesome structure. This is a team effort. The happy couple (beavers are monogamous) work equally to construct their dwelling of mud, sticks, stones and vegetation. Repair and maintenance are performed independently of gender. Many times the female is a “handy-man” while the male beaver looks after the kits. We could learn from this. Constantly going out of our way to feel and act either male or female can be very time consuming. If only everyone’s motivation was as sincere as the humble beaver’s, we’d have more time for creative thought.

Creative Origins

Sadly, human greed over the attractive coat of the beaver has led to trapping and consequently reduced their numbers. Thankfully, the human race is learning. According to The Columbia Encyclopedia, the beaver is so important to maintaining the natural environment that it has been reintroduced to parts of North America and Russia.

The beaver’s importance in our environment has long been demonstrated in mythology. In her book Water, author Alice Outwater states: “In tribes across North America, legend has it that the beaver helped the Great Spirit build the land, make the seas, and fill both well with animals and people.” Native Americans revere the beaver, as is clear in his presence on their totem poles. He is viewed as being so powerful that he can create earthquakes as well as landslides. Initially, this doesn’t seem to fit with creation. Upon further reflection, however, we see that destruction is simply an extreme means of change, and that change is the essence of everything new. In one Cree legend, the beaver is so angry because of an attempt to capture him, that he sees fit to flood the entire earth. This led to the recreation of earth by a creature called Wisagatcak and his helper the wolf. Together they turn moss into land.

We, too, can transform our environment. We may not have the magic powers told of in mythology, but we have all the great potential given to us by the Divine. We are only limited by our imagination.

Building Inspiration

Like us, beavers love company. In When Elephants Weep: The Emotional Lives Of Animals, authors Jefferey Moussaieff Masson and Susan McCarthy write: “For captive beavers, the presence or absence of a companion may be an important factor in their survival.” They tell of a wildlife biologist who noted that if a yearling beaver is deprived of companionship, he may sit where he has been left until he dies. We too, need to bond with others in an authentic and emotional way. Creativity, and the motivation to act on its inspiration, is fed by the encouragement of others. The beaver’s physical suffering in being isolated is an expression of his inward hardship. We could learn from his example: Friendship heals.

Keeping up Appearances

Anyone who has ever tended house knows that it is ongoing. With both kids and kitchen, things are kept up before they break down. Tiny teeth and hands must be brushed and washed, and often it is mother who maintains this hygiene. Too, it is usually mother who is home to ensure that the appliances are off so that they don’t wear down. These tasks are often thankless, but no less essential. The expression “if it ain’t broken don’t fix it” works well for some situations, but not in the domestic kingdom.

So too, in the world of the beaver. Staring at the surface of a one hundred and fifty-foot long dam, it looks immovable. In reality, it is only solid because of continued maintenance by the eager beaver. In order for his handiwork to stay solid, he must inspect and alter this structure daily. This is not for the sake of keeping up appearances. In fact, this work is largely underwater, and as such is unseen. The effort and care involved in a dam is known only by its creators. The reward is in the safety of their lodge, which is protected by the dam. The beaver has its priorities in order.

Often, adhering to what is meaningful instead of what is visible means we feel unappreciated. Unfortunately, this often starts with us. It is time that we who keep house applaud ourselves for our hard work and creativity. We need to recognize that even in the simplest household chore, we are creators: We are helping to build a happier, healthier environment.

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Galina Pembroke has published over 100 articles in Australia, Europe, the U.S.A. and Canada. She is a proud supporter of the anti-trapping organization The Fur-Bearers (www.banlegholdtraps.com). She lives in Nanaimo, BC, Canada. If you’d like to read more of her articles, log on to www.galina.ca or contact her at galinawrites@yahoo.com.

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