According to numerous studies, being part of a complex system of social cooperation, animals are capable of showing emotions towards each other just as well as human beings.
The author of the book, Emotional Lives of Animals, Marc Bekoff, said in a Greater Good blog post,
“Science has discovered a lot about the inner lives of diverse species, more than we often give ourselves credit for. Indeed, animals’ lives aren’t all that private, hidden, or secret; a flurry of research has offered insight into the emotional lives of animals. We now know that animals have a point of view and that they experience deep feelings.”
“Science has discovered a lot about the inner lives of diverse species, more than we often give ourselves credit for. Indeed, animals’ lives aren’t all that private, hidden, or secret; a flurry of research has offered insight into the emotional lives of animals. We now know that animals have a point of view and that they experience deep feelings.”
It seems human beings can learn a few things from our furry, sharp-clawed counterparts, to coexist peacefully on this planet as mindful, social animals. Let’s have a look at some of the basic ones.
Love unconditionally
How does a man’s ‘best friend’ treat his master? Our furry four-legged canine friends shower their owners with unconditional love, affection and gratitude. Your ever-so-loyal dog will offer you support in your worst days and will always stand guard, even if you get mad at them. Their undying faithfulness and respect for human beings should be the model for our behavior. Never forget to treat your own species with equal respect and showing wholehearted love towards them.
Shake a leg, reflect and relax
With numerous tasks to finish before the day ends, our daily routines are filled with activities that do not allow us the few good minutes that we need to pause, rethink and unwind. In the midst of day, while feeling pressure from home and work, even a 10-minute break from the task at hand can lower your blood pressure and lighten the mental burden.
Try stress releasing herbs and supplements that helps you release stress from your body and put your mind to ease. Take a cue from the dogs and cats that stretch in the middle of the street, the carefree monkeys at the zoo, the eagle who lets the wind carry it higher; take out a few moments to relax and reflect upon life’s splendors.
Human beings were not born to work their whole lives, while being judged by their own species. So, take a short yoga retreat as a spiritual escape, dance in your pajamas when your favorite song comes on, and chill every now and then.
Exhibit empathy and compassion
Animals can be unbelievably receptive of a human’s emotional state and physical well-being. A recent study has shown that dogs tend to yawn when their owners do, suggesting their utmost loyalty and empathy towards their caretakers.
Many similar studies have backed up the idea of animal empathy towards human beings. A study conducted by Carolyn Zahn-Waxler from the National Institute of Mental Health aimed to examine the responses of young children towards their family members’ emotions. The results, however, suggested that some family pets showed just as much concern as the children, when adults simulated distressed feelings. Pets would tend to put their heads in the owner’s lap as a display of warm supportive, comfort.
Animals can also influence us to take care of others; especially the elderly. Learn a thing or two from chimpanzees, who take care of their ailing comrades and elderly ones, by fetching water and food for them.
On the other hand, larger creatures like elephants put their long sharp tusks to good use and pick up an injured fellow elephant. The fleshy companions have also been noticed to get involved in teamwork – for example, pulling a rope at the same time to reel in a food cart which can only be accomplished if they work together.
Just like elephants, monkeys don’t hold back from showing their emotions to their own species. A famous study by psychiatrist Jules Masserman, published in 1964, backs up the idea by focusing on the altruistic scale of rhesus monkeys who refused to pull the chain that would bring them food, if doing so would hurt another monkey.
Follow your own path and persevere
Horses tend to stray from the pack in search of independence and thirst for wild adventure. Their appearance might be fanciful with a majestic touch, but the galloping beasts can prove to be equally stubborn; a fierce side conflicting with the imperial awe. Their unbending spirit allows them to carve their own path and run freely into the wild – without thinking about the consequences.
Humans have a tendency to get sidetracked by minor things such as an upcoming exam result. Our minds get stuck in the loop of switching jobs. Put your life on pause for a second and retrace your thoughts. Think about the salmon that faces ultimate distress, swimming thousands of miles against the current, just to make it back to its birth place.
The path towards goal attainment might seem lofty and hard to walk on, but as long you have a salmon’s perseverance and a horse’s fiercely stubborn persona, you can surely conquer all odds.
It will be hard to imagine a world without animals. It is amazing how they were created with almost human emotion and a great capacity to love; teaching human beings a lesson or two on how we should live our lives. Live a life free of unnecessary worries and learn to let go with a little power of positivity that can be attained by exploring the animal kingdom!
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