Life Lessons from Pets 2: Play!
This is part 2 in a series of articles about the wisdom that animals bring to humanity. (Click here for lesson 1) We’ll dive into a couple lessons I feel are super important for humans working through what we are on this planet. We could all use some more wisdom of the animals.
To recap from last week
Animals are not here to be teachers, but that doesn’t mean that we can’t learn from them. They naturally are the way we should be. I hesitate to use the word ‘should’, but in this case I believe it’s important. In many ways I believe that what they offer us is the chance to reconnect to the way we used to be. We are human BEings after all, and we know these things, we’ve just forgotten them.
Lesson 2: Play, Lots!
This seems like such a simple thing, but as adults we get sucked into adulting so hard that we forget to play. Our pets offer us continual reminders that play is important, and should be prioritized!
My dogs were 15 years old when they finally crossed the rainbow bridge, but despite being unable to see or hear for the most part they were still silly and goofy and loved to play in whatever way their aging bodies would allow. My cats are 5, and still play. My horse is 18 and does silly things frequently, like making faces when you scratch the itchy spots, and dancing around when the weather suddenly turns chilly.
For animals, play is a way to explore the world, and explore their abilities in their bodies. It hones their skills, teaches hierarchy levels, and at the same time teaches gentleness. Cats that are not exposed to other cats and siblings as kittens have a much harder time regulating their own impulses and tend to play much rougher than cats raised with siblings or other cats.
So why do we forget to play? Somehow we end up being so serious about adult things that play is frowned upon. We get bogged down with the daily grind, the stresses of going to work, and paying bills, and keeping up with all. the. things. As a result, play disappears from our lives.
So take a tip from your pets - and bring a little more play back into your day! Teach the dog a new trick (old dogs can learn new tricks!), get out the tassel toy for the cat, go for a walk in the woods, explore a new place, pick up a craft or hobby - anything that sparks joy and brings you pleasure is good!
So tell me, how can you add more play to your life? Comment below and let me know! Or better yet, head on over to my FB Group - Soul Pet Connections - and join a bigger discussion about how we can be better connected with all animals, and ourselves.
