Instinct vs reason

Man is the most evolved being on earth. He has a mind to reason and think. Animals whoich are the next lower evolved, have a very strong instinct. This instinct regulates their lives and is seen by humans as intelligence. Of course, by repetitive action, they can perform as though they are as intelligent as man. But there are pet lovers, who will swear that some the instincts in animals are stronger and more reliable than human behavior.

As a layman, I have just returned to my own home and environs after staying for nearly 20 days in Bombay with my grandson. I cannot complain of the lack of comforts in large home, with A/cs humming right through the day, a high end music system, enough help in the house etc We were expected to look after our 14 year old grandson who was completely pre occupied with school, games at school and doing his homework on his own and we had no role to play. He even chose his own menu. He was so self sufficient that he woke up at 5 am on certain days with his own alarm. We only needed to coordinate the car and driver to look after his needs.

So what am I complaining about? I have no reason to complain about anything. But yet, when I returned yesterday to my own home, my instincts took over. I was happiest sitting in my own
Poyang chair watching TV, sleeping in my own bed and following my own regular routine. Everything about the world seemed to be just fine. What gave this feeling is that ultimately our 'creature' comforts' as they are called are governed by our instincts and not by reason.

I dont think this is a bad thing as usually instinct is never wrong though reason can be sometimes.

Is there a moral to the story? Dont travel out of your home if you neednt. If you have to, try to follow your usual routine as much as possible. But please dont be a slave to your instinctual impulses and try and find other activities to keep you busy - meeting friends, relatives and shopping which you cannot do in your home town. Dont allow your reason and mind to be idle but as possible with reading, listening to music etc.

Be a good dog but learn to be a good human, being too