Home is where the dog is! How often are you sitting at work thinking about your cute animal at home, if you’re like me, it’s pretty much all the time? Our little furry friends fill us with all these emotions you wouldn’t think were possible. Our partners in crime, through thick and thin, often these animals are what makes a home, home. Although our time is short, animals teach us the most fundamental lessons in life.
1. Be Present
This is one of the greatest lessons in life, and its best to learn this sooner than later. There is no greater time like the present! We often live our lives dwelling on the past or planning for the future we often miss what’s happening right here and now. Animals don’t think about the past or worry about the future they are completely immersed in the now. Now they’re hungry, excited, bored whatever it may be they are always one hundred percent present.
2. Play Time
All work and no play makes anyone a dull, stressed out person. Pets show us the importance of play they encourage us to put our troubles aside and enjoy the moment, kick back and have some fun. Play encourages creativity, imagination and promotes a healthy lifestyle. Don’t be afraid to be silly and do what you love.
3. Thankfulness
Pets appreciate everything you do for them, to them you are their world. Those pets, cuddles, table scraps, they are so grateful for everything you do. Every moment you spend with them means the world to them. This is such a good life lesson, its the little things in life, like being present, that mean the most. Material things make you happy for a while, but memories will make you happy forever. When life gets stressful, bring it back, and think of all the things you have to be grateful for.
4. Grudges Don’t Solve Anything
Animals are very forgiving if you accidentally step on a tail they don’t hold it against you. There is not enough time in life to hold grudges. Harvesting and focusing on those negative emotions will impact your emotional well-being and stops you from moving on. Learning to forgive yourself and others can lead to a more open stressfree life.
5. Exercise is Important
Animals are a great source of motivation for living a healthy lifestyle get moving and active. Taking your dog for a stroll through the park provides many benefits to your physical and mental health. Studies say that dog owners often have healthier blood pressure and heart rates. Having an animal you need to walk, motivates you to get outdoors and be active.
6. Enjoy the Ride
We often spend so much time focused on the final destination we miss what is right in front of us. Animals live in the present, and the only thing they are concerned about is here and now.
When you take a dog on a walk, they love to stop and sniff every flower along the way. They don’t know where they’re going, but they enjoy every step of the way.
It is quite easy to get caught up in the overall goal, stressing over the big picture, we often miss out on enjoying the little accomplishments that work towards our goals. When setting a goal, it is best to break it down into smaller pieces that work towards the larger goal. When working on a large goal don’t forget to enjoy every step of the process.
7. Embrace Your Fears
When you bring a new kitten or puppy home they are timid and shy. They always come around eventually facing their fears and becoming from it. We should watch and learn from this, so often we live in fear, scared of peer pressure, rejection, failure, and that stops us from obtaining our full potential.
Love really conquers all and you should start with yourself! What are your fears? You’ll see that replacing that fear and self-criticism with self-love makes you strong and able to handle every situation in life. It will make your life easier!
Embrace Yourself
Pets never wander around thinking about what others think of them. They accept and believe in themselves, they never have any self-doubts.
8. Love Unconditionally
A pet is usually your first best friend and first love they teach you how to love and be loved unconditionally. No matter what happened that day your pet is always looking forward to seeing you. They don’t care about what clothes you wear, or if your hair is done they care that you’re there. We could all learn to love unconditionally looking past appearances, backgrounds, and lifestyles.
