A few months ago, I shared with you the lesson we can learn from buffalo on facing the storms of life. If you missed that newsletter, the message was about the difference in how buffalo react to storms compared to cows.
When a storm approaches, cows attempt to flee in the opposite direction. But, since they're not that fast, the storm inevitably catches up with them, and they end up running along with it, prolonging their exposure and pain. Buffalo are much wiser in how they approach storms. They wait for the storm to roll towards them before charging headfirst into it and straight through it. By confronting the storm head-on, buffalo minimize the discomfort, time, and frustration they endure by getting to the other side as quickly as possible.
The lesson is that we can't delay or evade life's difficulties by procrastinating or running away. If we embrace the buffalo mindset by confronting them head-on, we can reduce our time of distress and lessen our burden. But buffalo aren’t the only animals that teach us about life. If we’re willing to pay attention, we can learn many lessons from the animal kingdom. Here are twelve of my personal favorites.
12 Life Lessons We Can learn From Animals
1. Adaptability Fish have adapted to survive in almost any environment, from the deepest depths of the ocean to shallow estuaries and rivers. We can learn from them how to be flexible when faced with change or an unexpected situation.
2. Loyalty Dogs are known for their unwavering loyalty to their owners, which should also be a lesson for us. We can strive to demonstrate the same commitment and dedication to our family,friends, and colleagues that our canine companions show to us.
3. Communication Birds have perfected the art of communication by mastering complex vocalizations and signals with their wings and feathers. They teach us that effective communication is an invaluable skill to possess.
4. Teamwork Zebras and ostriches band together to defend against predators. Their ability to compensate for each other's weaknesses is remarkable. Zebras have great vision but a poor sense of smell, while ostriches have poor eyesight but a fantastic sense of smell. This teaches us that our collective strengths are greater when we work together than when we work alone.
5. Curiosity Cats are curious creatures. They constantly explore their surroundings, seek new information, and learn from their environment. We can learn from them to stay curious and open-minded in life.
6. Perseverance Turtles are creatures of resilience and determination, capable of withstanding great difficulty as they slowly make their way across vast distances. We can learn from them how to persevere even in the face of adversity.
7. Problem-solving Squirrels are natural problem-solvers, using their quick wits and dexterous hands to collect food from the most unlikely places. They teach us that even amid difficulty, we can find creative solutions if we remain open and resourceful.
8. Conflict Resolution Elephants are known for their peaceful and conciliatory approach to conflict resolution. When a disagreement arises, they can quickly end it without resorting to aggression or violence. We can learn from them how to resolve conflicts without compromising our integrity or dignity.
9. Compassion Dolphins are highly social creatures, demonstrating a deep sense of compassion and empathy for one another. We can learn from them how to be more understanding and compassionate with those around us, regardless of our differences.
10. Self-care The Koala bear is a master of self-care who spends 18 hours a day sleeping and eating eucalyptus leaves. This reminds us to take breaks and not overwork ourselves to stay healthy and productive.
11. Fun Llamas and alpacas are playful animals that love running and jumping around. They're also known for their silly behavior and goofy faces. They remind us to enjoy life, embrace silliness, and make time for fun.
12. Love Penguins are one of the most loyal creatures on Earth, often forming lifelong partnerships with their mates. They teach us the power of love and commitment and how to nurture relationships for a lifetime.
We can learn a lot from animals and their behavior. Animals are natural teachers who remind us that life is full of surprises and opportunities. By observing them, we can gain valuable insights into our own lives. So, the next time you encounter an animal in your day-to-day life or see one on television, take a moment to appreciate the life lessons and wisdom they offer. You may be surprised by what you can learn!