Humans Can Get Spectacularly Wound UP In Their Conflicts
Meanwhile, our pets are living their best lives without reading a single self-help book. What can we learn from these life experts who are sharing our homes?
The
Golden Retriever Retrieve
- When two dogs have a spat, it's usually over quickly and definitively.
There's some posturing, maybe a brief scuffle, and then... they're back to
being friends five minutes later. No grudges, no passive-aggressive door
slamming, no rehashing the incident three weeks later at dinner parties. Deal
with conflict directly, then retrieve your relationship and move forward.
The
Cat Tower Power
- A cat doesn't engage in battles it can't win on its own terms. If another cat
is bothering them, they simply remove themselves from the situation with
maximum dignity intact. They find a high perch and observe the chaos below with
supreme indifference. Give yourself the power to disengage from conflicts that
aren't worth your energy.
The
Border Collie Border
- Dogs are masters of clear, consistent communication about their limits. They
don't hint, they don't sulk, and they don't expect you to guess what's wrong. A
dog will give a warning growl, show their teeth, or simply walk away - all
crystal clear signals about what they will and won't tolerate. Maintain
personal agency and communicate clearly rather than accepting someone else's
view of what is the "right" solution.
The
Loyal Lab Loyalty
- Dogs are incredibly good at distinguishing between someone having a bad day
versus someone who's genuinely harmful. They'll forgive your grumpiness, but
won't keep returning to someone who consistently mistreats them. They're loyal
without being doormats. Be generous with forgiveness for bad moments while
protecting yourself from patterns of mistreatment.
The
Pet Amnesty Pact
- Your cat might be offended that you moved their favorite box, but offer some
treats and chin scratches, and you're forgiven immediately. Dogs are even more
forgiving - you can accidentally step on their tail and they'll still greet you
like a returning war hero thirty seconds later. Practice the art of quick
forgiveness when someone makes genuine amends.
Maybe there is wisdom from our pets to think about! After all, they've been living rent-free in our homes and hearts while quietly demonstrating a successful kind of emotional maturity that leads to wagging tails and peaceful cat naps.
Now,
if you will excuse me, I need to go growl at my neighbor and get over it.
__________________________________
__________________________________
For tips from my forthcoming book, visit www.ConflictFixItGuide.com.
________________________________________
Free Consultation - Just Ask!
I offer free consultations on conflict, facilitation, difficult meetings, public involvement, online meetings, and collaboration in general. Schedule an opportunity to talk with me about your issue. I promise to not trap you into a marketing message. We will stick to problem-solving on your issue.
Contact Us:
Michael Fraidenburg
Olympia, WA, USA.
Email Mike
© 2025, Michael E. Fraidenburg. All rights reserved.
No comments:
Post a Comment