Look ahead

I'm not sure whether the act is instinct or born from curiosity. My daughter was just before age 2 and on our outings we of course came across insects, namely ants, crawling about. Her immediate response was to step on them.  It disturbed me, not only because I'm vegan and realize every creature has its place and right to exist, but because my girl is very sweet and to see this as a first reaction to a creature smaller than her was a bit disappointing.
I told her NO. I explained to her that the ants have things to do. Some have to get food, some have to go to work in the tree. If I was out to get her strawberries and someone bigger stepped on me, she wouldn't get berries or a mom.
This was probably the only time she listened to me, comprehending,  not interupting. It took some months of reminding.  But she ever since then hesitated before stepping on an insect. She's almost 3 now and has no urge. She says Hi and Bye as easily as she would to anyone in the neighborhood, whether human, dog, bird, or mayfly. At an age where one is notoriously self serving, rebelious, and stubborn -we are all viewed as equals. A doctor heading to surgery is no more or less important than a bee collecting pollen.  A turtle should be able to safely cross the street to get to a lake as easily as we cross the freeway to attend a sport event.
Regardless of whether destruction is instinct and compassion is taught or vice versa, one can always be learned over the other. How we choose is based on logic vs. Self.  What makes sense on the whole level vs what will give me the most now.  As era after era passes, the latter becomes more prominent and not due to it's virtue or logistic value, but because it requires nothing.  Despite what we've been sold on, (by means of opinions held by those in power or popular favor, or by which commerical had the catcher jingle) the results equate to nothing as well. It's quick to parish, become outdated,  diminished in value to the point of being nothing.
An act based on logic, value of life and lives, and compassion for all existence and our individual purposes makes a mark. Its like a beautiful vine that always grows, always spreads, always flowers regardless of season. Now as long as we don't put up any gawdy garden trellises,  keeping it confined, the beauty can be seen and felt by all.
Unfortunately the whole planet has been made unsightly by these tacky trellises and cheap concrete walls that only get higher so we can't see this "vine". This represents the zen we seek, the nirvana that seems out of reach, the filler for all the empty holes we try to fill with temporary thrills, and the love we all feel entitled to. We NEED as in NECESSARY, HAVE TO, NON NEGOTIABLE FOR OUR EXISTENCE, NEED to tear these perverbial and actual walls down.