Day 256: Model Communication

In keeping with the barely-there theme of pets, let's explore another facet of relationships - Communication.

Some might argue that relationships with pets and relationships with humans aren't the same because humans can communicate with each other. 

They speak the same language.

Do they, though??

More often than not - not really.

Sure, the people we have relationships with will, by and large, speak the same language in terms of words and sentence structure. But in the sense of definition and meaning, many humans speak completely different languages and don't even know it.

Why?

Because we all think differently. And I mean everyone - even twins (of which I am living proof)! 

As life-long residents of our own minds and bodies, we become so accustomed to our way of thinking, doing, behaving that when we encounter anything 'other' it is immediately flagged. And if you are anything like me, it is often flagged with outrage, disbelief, and/or Judgement.

'Why would So-and-so think that was ok?! That behavior is completely unacceptable!'

Perhaps the above thought passes through one's mind during an interaction with another person. 
Conflict ensues.

Will a remedy be found to smooth things over??

That depends . . . 
On what?

On one's level of self-awareness.

Anytime we have a reaction to something, it indicates that things are either in or out of alignment with our values and beliefs.

For instance:

Do you get irritated when others leave a(n originally) closed door open behind them or don't pick up after themselves, ever? 

This could be an indication that you hold the belief:
'things should be left the same or better than you found them' and to not do so is 'inconsiderate and rude' [to give a completely made-up example that has no meaning in my life whatsoever . . .]

Self-awareness allows us to identify such beliefs and discern the judgements we apply when unfollowed by others. This is the first step.

The second step of self-awareness is to assess our newly identified beliefs.
Sure, they were formed for a reason and at some point in time they were beneficial for us - but are they still helpful in the present?

In many cases - at least in my own experience - newly identified beliefs don't really help me much. The majority were created at a much younger age and served an important purpose. Yet, with the passing of time comes new needs and new beliefs to reflect the present day person. Thus, awareness of our beliefs - current and old - is the key to better communication.

When we know what thoughts we are actually working with (and under the direction of) we can then communicate more effectively with others - and, in time, become an example of model communication.

Day 255: Model Pet Relationship

My friend is letting me test out her cat take a test drive as a cat owner by allowing one of her cats to stay with me for a few days. 

Fascinatingly, my 4-legged friend has sparked some new connections that I didn't have before about relationships.

For instance - all relationships, ideally, should be like that of a pet owner and pet. Not in the sense of possessiveness or ownership, but in the sense of non-judgment and unconditional love.

Think about it, if your pet does something wrong you wouldn't hold a two-week grudge about it. You probably wouldn't even hold a silent treatment grudge about it - at least for longer than a few minutes, anyway.

And yet, in relationships with other humans, we often hold onto disappointments and hurts, using them as a way of protecting ourselves from the possibility of future disappointments and hurts.

But with pets, we don't expect them to disappoint or hurt us.
We expect them to be kind and loving towards us.
And when they do disappoint, perhaps by doing something they're not supposed to, we don't hold onto the fear that they will do it again in the future. 

We know that pets are living creatures and that accidents happen. 

We also know that from accidents learning can always happen - along with training for better behavior down the road.

But somehow, this mindset doesn't often apply to human to human relationships. 

And it doesn't make any sense!

Especially when looked at from this angle.

Some might argue that animals don't have free will as humans do, nor do they [generally] have bad intentions towards their humans. Therefore, comparing relationships with pets to relationships with other humans is like comparing apples to oranges.
Totally different.

But what if it wasn't?

I mean, if you really think about it, a big reason pets owners enjoy relationships with their pets is because they share limitless love and behave well. 

The owners put in the time and effort to 'train' their pets.

The owners put in the time and effort to 'raise' their pets.

The owners put in the time and effort to 'build a relationship' with their pets.

To Train = To Raise = To Build a Relationship

It doesn't matter what word you use or what type of relationship you apply it to - it's all the same thing.

What would change if we all approached relationships as if we were getting to know a new pet? Expecting the best, learning from the worst, and loving what is from moment to moment.

Day 254: Supporting Evidence

A few days ago at the start of my walk around North Pond something caught my eye in the middle of the pond.

It was swimming straight towards the water's edge, near the cafe.

It was the beaver!!

Oh my gosh the beaver's back! It made it through all of the construction of the pond restoration project!

What a happy discovery. My heart was singing - I was SO EXCITED!!

Since that day I've been scouring the pond with an eagle-eyed intensity during my walks, determined to catch sign of my rodent friend once again.

Today, during my walk, I still did not see the beaver.
Nor did I get closer to figuring out where it's [new?] den is.

But I did catch sight of some supporting evidence that the beaver is indeed, back to stay at North Pond.

Behold!

Exhibit(s) A

Exhibit B

What a great example of you see what you seek.

Yes, I wanted to actually SEE the beaver.
And while that hasn't happened YET, I still saw what I was seeking - proof that it was still around.
Proof on both sides of the pond, to be exact.

There's another saying that comes to mind for this,
What you focus on expands.

I feel like both of these sayings are helpful to keep in mind. Especially in today's world.

We are constantly inundated by information of all kinds - sometimes by choice, but often not.

We can focus on the things we don't want and thus, find proof to support whatever fear, stress, etc it brings up in us.

Or

We can focus on the things we DO want and enjoy. And through our focus on such things, we amplify the benefit and the good feelings they bring. 

Supporting evidence is all around us, we just need to decide what we are hoping to see.

Day 253: Nature Lover

Nature is genuine and authentic.
No wonder I love it so much. 

In nature, neither animals nor plants are putting on airs or acting a certain way because they think that's what they're supposed to do.
With the exception, perhaps, of the squirrels wanting people to feed them.

No, they are all just living. Full stop.
Living in the way that is natural and best for them.

Take a look at the changing leaves right now.
They are all changing at a different pace and into different colors. Various fade combinations, some to stay before they fall and others to transition through a metamorphosis of different colors before the end.

You don't see one tree thinking to itself:
'Well, all of the other trees are changing their leaf color, I'd better hurry up and do it, too!'

Instead, you see a wide progression of change with each individual tree moving on it's own timeline.

Ah, what ease. What freedom. What peace.

May we all be able to reconnect with our own authentic sense of internal nature.
May we all come to a place of acceptance and desire to live fully within our own timelines.

Day 252: The Golden Rule

The golden rule has been around probably since the beginning of time - if I had to venture a guess.

And it still seems to be somewhat elusive on a grand scale.

I have never, through my limited knowledge or experience, come across a place or time where this guide for being was completely embraced by everyone.

The thought occurred to me recently, that the reason for this might be more fundamental than I would have guessed. Requiring a bit of reverse engineering to get to the root of.

Treat others as you want to be treated. 

But are we treating ourselves as we want to be treated??

Life is a reflection of our inner world. Our thoughts and perspectives color what we see around us. And because of this, our interpretations of life will be uniquely different than everyone else's (for the most part).

If we aren't willing to treat ourselves how we would like to be treated, how can we do the same for others?

It seems similar to the thought, 'you have to love yourself before you can love someone else.' 

I don't think it's the all or nothing situation of, if you don't treat yourself well then you can't treat others well. Because I know from personal experience (a lot of it) that it is MUCH easier to be kind, encouraging, supportive, advocative, etc towards others than myself at times.

Yet, I think the transition of carrying out the golden rule to living out the golden rule occurs when one has learned to apply the rule to oneself.

This makes sense to me.

Think about a time when you felt really happy, proud, appreciative of yourself - and then interacted with others.
What was that like?

For me, if I am feeling good in and about myself, it becomes seemingly effortless and automatic to project those good vibes, feelings and actions onto others.

Thus, my call to action:

Treat yourself as you want others to treat you
- and see what shifts over time.

Day 251: Reciprocation and Dislike

For much of my life I've operated under the premise that I needed to act a certain way in order to be 'nice.'

Because to be 'nice' is to be 'liked'.
(At least to my child brain.)
And if you aren't 'liked' then there must be something wrong with you.

...hmm...

I uncovered a belief I have, that 'you have to reciprocate in order to be "nice" (aka a 'good' person).'

But that's not true.
(People please, much?)

It's not true that by not reciprocating I am being "mean."

And it's not true that not reciprocating has any moral implications on the type of person I am.

But in my brain, that is the only other alternative.

With hidden - or limiting - beliefs, everything is an 'All or nothing' situation.

And every choice has a moral say about you and your worth.

This realization made me think about the concepts of nice and mean - and how they correlate to being liked and being disliked.

I thought about in childhood when being unliked is one of the worst things ever.

How interesting it is that to be unliked in adulthood could be viewed as a completely neutral thing?

To be unliked is not the same as being disliked.

I think in childhood these two terms are actually synonyms. 

However, as we mature and enter into adulthood they begin to take on their own individual meanings.
Just as we become our own individual people - how fascinating!

You mean to say, that I can have zero regard, in any capacity, for someone or something and still be a 'good' person?

Why, yes, that's exactly what I mean to say!

 

What does it really mean to be a 'bad' person?

This will vary slightly from individual to individual, but we can probably agree it will involve something along the lines of:

Intentionally causing harm to others.

So what does this all mean?

To me - it means that being honest with myself about my wants, needs, and preferences and then using this honesty to inform my actions, might actually be the 'nicest' thing I can do.

Because when we allow ourselves to do what's right for us, we are more open to accepting the differences that are right for others.
And what's more likeable than that?

Day 250: Penguin Run

Saturday morning I went for a walk and witnessed a grin-inducing sight.

A man running . . . wearing a backpack . . . and his hands in his pockets.

I can't really explained why the sight tickled me so, but it did!
Boy, was I giggling!

It may have been because when people run with their hands in their pockets, they start to resemble penguins . . .