Last update: December 23, 2016
We usually think that humans are very different from animals and we believe we have the task of teaching them something, but it's the opposite! The lessons we can learn from animals, and any species in general, are really important.
Perhaps you have a cat or dog in your home and it is easier for you to understand the lessons that can be learned. However, the animal kingdom hides many learnings. Would you like to know what they are? Cows, hamsters, geese and salmon are just some of the protagonists of this article.
The company of dogs
Dogs are among the most common pets in the home and we can learn a lot from the attitudes and way of life they have and manifest every day. They are the companion animals par excellence.
In primo luogo, dogs teach us loyalty and brotherhood. Dogs do not separate from their owners even for a moment. For them, there is only one master and they follow him far and wide, even if the person does not give them importance. Surely you have verified it when, on your way home, your best friend is waiting for you behind the door wagging his tail.
By adopting a dog, you will never be alone again. A dog is always there for its owner, no matter if you are tired or if it is very late. If you stay in the small hours to study or work, you will find yourself watching over your feet. If you are sick, he will sit next to your bed. If you watch television, it will lie down at your feet.
Furthermore, dogs are able to understand what is happening without having to use words. The next time someone in your family or intimate social circle feels demoralized, tired or overwhelmed with obligations, offer them your company, as your dog does with you. Perhaps what he needs is this support.
The wisdom of the geese
If you need a boost of good humor for teamwork, do not hesitate to draw inspiration from the system adopted by these birds that fly in flocks to reach the goal. To begin with, their flight shape is a “V”, because this way the wind resistance is less and they have to try less to get farther.
When a goose leaves its place in the formation, it immediately returns to the group, because it realizes that it cannot fly alone. The specimen in front is the first to tire, because it receives all the direct wind and, moreover, it takes care of guiding the others. When his forces no longer help him, he goes to the last place and is replaced by the second. Nobody argues or makes excuses, they simply follow the established order.
Those farther back make sounds as they fly to encourage those in front and if someone gets sick or injured, two companions take them to a safe place, wait for them to recover or die and then resume their training.
Geese teach us how important the people around us are, in the family, in a group of friends or work colleagues. A strong network of loved ones allows us to move forward together and in bigger steps.
The satisfaction of the cows
Many times the brain says "enough" when you want to learn or read something. However, once we have overcome the initial obstacle and have added new knowledge, we are overwhelmed by a pleasant feeling that scholars refer to as the "reward system". It is like tasting success once it is achieved.
Cows have been shown to get excited when they manage to achieve something. By improving certain skills or undertaking a new one, the heart rate increases and their movements are faster. It is as if in the end they say to themselves “Eureka! I've done it!".
So let's take cows as an example and get excited every time we manage to do something new. Victory in a tough battle or reaching the goal deserves celebration and recognition of our effort.
The friendship of sheep and dolphins
If you thought your relationship with your best friend was the strongest and most lasting in the world, it's because you don't know how sheep and dolphins live with their friends!
Dolphins and sheep have a strong sense of friendship and they continually show it. They are even willing to suffer or die for a friend. They do not let the other work if he is tired or demoralized, they bring him food and protect him from predators and dangers.
Some animal friends stay together for many years. The dolphin is the quintessential symbol of true friendships, but cetaceans are also an excellent example of friendship. A curious fact is that humpback whales reunite with their friends when summer begins!
The altruism of chimpanzees
Surely you remember the famous and incredible story of Tarzan, the baby rescued by a monkey who found him in the crib after his parents were killed in the jungle.
Beyond the fiction, what is certain is that primates are very altruistic, that is, they give all of themselves without thinking twice. For example, they can help a companion who is afraid, raise a puppy whose mother has died, stand by the injured, and even show compassion for those who suffer and are on the verge of dying.
Phrases that animals would tell us
Finally, pay attention to these lines that could be pronounced without problems by animals (if we understood their language or if they could speak ours); could help you grow as a person and from a social point of view:
- Don't give up easily (the salmon)
- Practice every day (the hamster)
- Rest more (the cat)
- Work hard (the ant)
- No judge and don't discriminate (the dog)
- Take care of your children until they are independent (the bird)
