stay in your niche!

In the study of ecology, a niche is an extremely important concept.  A niche is an organism's occupation; its role in the environment.  A niche defines the physical and biological conditions in which an organism lives and how it interacts with those conditions.  No 2 species can share the same niche in the same habitat.  

As I was explaining niche to my 9th graders, I gave the example of a mountain lion.  What if he got tired of being a carnivore and hunting and decided to become an herbivore, grazing like a cow?  I asked them what would happen.  They gave great answers!  The animals that the mountain lion ate would become overpopulated.  There would be a grass shortage.  If the producer (the grass) in the environment runs out, everything else dies.  The mountain lion has the wrong teeth and the wrong digestive enzymes for grass anyway.  He would make himself miserable!  Serious consequences for one species deciding he doesn't like who he is.

It sounds ridiculous, doesn't it?  But, I frequently find myself thinking thoughts similar to the fictitious mountain lion.  If only I looked like ______.  If only I didn't feel and think so deeply and I could be superficial.  If only I could be a teacher like ______.  And on and on.  We are not perfect, but we are made in God's image and made by His hands!  He designed me to fit perfectly into my niche, and it is ridiculous for me to try to fit somewhere else!  I'm only making myself miserable and adversely affecting every one around me!  

Truthfully, I like my niche!  I think I'll stay!  :)