WE ARE LIKE FLEAS, MASHALLAH

Scientists conducted an incredible experiment on fleas. I couldn't find the article in a scientific source, but since it has been mentioned in many sources, I assumed it to be true and wanted to share it with you. I believe they have beautifully demonstrated how much our minds influence us and how, when filled with negativity, they can limit us.

They randomly selected a group of fleas that could jump at different heights and placed them inside a glass dome 35 cm high. The dome’s ceiling was covered with glass, and the base was made of metal. They then began to heat the metal base.

As the metal base heated up, the fleas started jumping more. However, as they jumped, they kept hitting the glass ceiling. After a while, the fleas that repeatedly hit the glass ceiling naturally adjusted their jumps to only reach 35 cm.

At a later stage, the scientists removed the glass ceiling. But despite now being free to jump as high as they wanted, the fleas continued to jump only 35 cm.

I don’t know what kind of feeling or judgment this experiment creates in you, but to me, it closely resembles the mechanism of the human mind.

The belief patterns we form due to our experiences—or lack thereof—and the mental blockages we hold onto imprison us. We fail to use our free will because we remain stuck in the past.

We face obstacles in life; sometimes, we stumble, and sometimes, we fall. But these obstacles eventually disappear; difficulties don’t last forever. Yet, I’ve realized that even when obstacles are removed, we still perceive them as present in our minds. We live stuck in the past. Since this state drains almost all our energy, we don’t exercise our free will—just like the fleas. Instead, we blame circumstances or other people.

However, as this experiment shows, we rarely take the time to reassess our minds and reality. Let this article create some awareness within you. And when you feel like giving up, when you despair and think, How will I ever do this?, or when you feel helpless about overcoming obstacles, remember this:

Maybe the obstacle is you.

Emine NALÇACI MAVİŞ