Self-Esteem From A Dog's Perspective
The dynamics between dogs always amazes me. No matter how large or small the breed, each seems to come from a place of confidence, stepping boldly forward to sniff or mark. Rarely is there a dog that knows how small they truly are.
In graduate school, I lived with a friend. I had two small dogs (under 10 pounds) and she had two huge dogs (50 pounds or more). My dogs thoughts they were big and actively sought out my friend's dogs to play with or chase around the yard. In the beginning, I feared for them. I prayed one of the larger dogs wouldn't accidentally step on one of mine and cripple them forever. But the larger dogs seemed amused by my dog's confidence and respected them by giving them a great deal of grace. If the dogs were tugging on the same toy, the larger dogs could have easily slung my dogs across the yard, but they never did. Instead, the larger dog would lay on the ground and tug, face to face, with my dog. The larger dog seemed to innately realize the power they had over my smaller animals and kept it in check.
I wish human beings had the same level of courtesy.
Why is it the biggest kids on the playground feel a need to pick on the smaller, weaker kids? What does beating up someone smaller than you prove?
I wish that as individuals, we were able to step out of ourselves more often and build up those around us. Berating someone or playing on their weaknesses does nothing to help them grow confident or strong in their own abilities.
Dogs don't feel pressure to conform. I have never seen a Dalmation feel bad because they have spots. I have never seen a small dog live a life of regret that they are small and not able to run as fast as some of their larger counterparts. They eat, sleep and live content in who they are.
Few people can say the same.
We look at what others have and wish it were ours.
We look at how someone else looks and wants to mirror their style, more confident in imitation than in creating our own.
We listen to what others say and believe it as the gospel truth, even when our inner voices beg us to ignore them.
Why?
We are the smartest and most resourceful species on the planet. Even the weakest of our species are still able to create a niche for themselves and live their lives. In the animal kingdom, this would not be the case.
Inner confidence makes us even stronger. If we believe we are smart, we will seek out opportunities to challenge and develop that belief.
If we believe we are beautiful, we will dress and act accordingly. Perhaps some of us would have the confidence to approach the "better" looking guys because we see ourselves as attractive enough to do so.
If we believe we have a purpose, we will spend our lives trying to fulfill it rather than trying to fit into a hole someone else has created for us.
I wish I was more like my dogs. I wish I had the ability to live in the moment, appreciate what I have when I have it and trust my instincts. I wish I had more confidence is who I am and what I have to offer, and I wish I realized how many "big dogs" there were out there for me to play with and learn from without fear.
I am unique and one of a kind. My dogs love me and I should care enough about myself to love me too. What others think or approve of is irrelevant.
My dogs "said" so!
In graduate school, I lived with a friend. I had two small dogs (under 10 pounds) and she had two huge dogs (50 pounds or more). My dogs thoughts they were big and actively sought out my friend's dogs to play with or chase around the yard. In the beginning, I feared for them. I prayed one of the larger dogs wouldn't accidentally step on one of mine and cripple them forever. But the larger dogs seemed amused by my dog's confidence and respected them by giving them a great deal of grace. If the dogs were tugging on the same toy, the larger dogs could have easily slung my dogs across the yard, but they never did. Instead, the larger dog would lay on the ground and tug, face to face, with my dog. The larger dog seemed to innately realize the power they had over my smaller animals and kept it in check.
I wish human beings had the same level of courtesy.
Why is it the biggest kids on the playground feel a need to pick on the smaller, weaker kids? What does beating up someone smaller than you prove?
I wish that as individuals, we were able to step out of ourselves more often and build up those around us. Berating someone or playing on their weaknesses does nothing to help them grow confident or strong in their own abilities.
Dogs don't feel pressure to conform. I have never seen a Dalmation feel bad because they have spots. I have never seen a small dog live a life of regret that they are small and not able to run as fast as some of their larger counterparts. They eat, sleep and live content in who they are.
Few people can say the same.
We look at what others have and wish it were ours.
We look at how someone else looks and wants to mirror their style, more confident in imitation than in creating our own.
We listen to what others say and believe it as the gospel truth, even when our inner voices beg us to ignore them.
Why?
We are the smartest and most resourceful species on the planet. Even the weakest of our species are still able to create a niche for themselves and live their lives. In the animal kingdom, this would not be the case.
Inner confidence makes us even stronger. If we believe we are smart, we will seek out opportunities to challenge and develop that belief.
If we believe we are beautiful, we will dress and act accordingly. Perhaps some of us would have the confidence to approach the "better" looking guys because we see ourselves as attractive enough to do so.
If we believe we have a purpose, we will spend our lives trying to fulfill it rather than trying to fit into a hole someone else has created for us.
I wish I was more like my dogs. I wish I had the ability to live in the moment, appreciate what I have when I have it and trust my instincts. I wish I had more confidence is who I am and what I have to offer, and I wish I realized how many "big dogs" there were out there for me to play with and learn from without fear.
I am unique and one of a kind. My dogs love me and I should care enough about myself to love me too. What others think or approve of is irrelevant.
My dogs "said" so!