Most people agree that animals have an important role in their life. For some of us, they provide great love and companionship. Other people see them as a food source. This has created a complicated belief system that allows some animals to offer friendship while others are food. Wherever you are on the spectrum of enjoying animals, keep reading and discover seven life lessons animals can teach us.
Most of my childhood memories are rooted in the seventies when organic food and wool sweaters were a popular way of life. My family lived on a small farm in Northern California. We hand-milked our cows and provided fresh, raw milk to the neighbors. We also grew and prepared almost the entirety of our family’s food.
I was raised knowing the seasons and how they affected our gardens. I understood that our cows needed to give birth to produce milk. I knew most of those calves would not make it to a year old. It was the cycle; Spring offered a new life, and death mostly occurred in the cold Winter.
I also knew that the Earth rested during the Winter while a new life was growing unseen in our goats and cows. Most of our animals had a good life. They had names and received loads of attention, except the ones we planned to eat. They were treated differently. We did not form a bond with them or spend time playing with them.
Even with the awareness that eventually, all the animals would head to the auction and slaughter, they were my friends, companions, and confidants. Their behavior made sense. I felt grounded and calm with them.
My most treasured childhood memories include time with cows, horses, and goats. This is where I learned about strong, loving bonds and unconditional love, peace, and compassion. I was most at home outside in the sun with my animal friends.
My relationship with the farm animals planted a seed in my consciousness, guiding what I eat and how I live my life today. It took years of nurturing and self-reflection before my life and food choices bloomed into something that feels balanced and aligned with my heart.
Trusting
Oddly I developed a stronger bond with our cows, goats, and horses than with our dogs and cats. I felt calm around the cows and goats, especially when they were lying down chewing their cud. It was like they were great generators of peace, humming a different vibration. When I sat down next to their big bodies, they helped me connect to something bigger than my small world.
I also felt strangely safe with them, even as a small, scraggly child. The cows were much bigger, but we understood how to move together. I remember taking them to a different pasture during early Spring. They would follow me down the hill, across the creek. I led them on the path just by talking with them. They trusted me as much as I trusted them.
The animals of my childhood truly shaped who I am today. My spiritual belief system sees animals as sentient beings. I am forever grateful for what they shared with me.
Lessons I Learned from Animals
I learned compassion in the most primal form by spending time with our animals. It was like something opened in my heart that allowed me to feel everything. The connection I formed with these animals helped me notice everything that is unsaid and unseen. This compassion and awareness still guide me today.
I learned that my belief or perception is mirrored back to me. If I believe a person or animal is different or undeserving, it will show up that way to me. Years ago, the animals we were planning to eat were no different from the ones we didn’t eat. Yet we told ourselves a story to justify our intention. Somehow this was supposed to make it easier for all involved.
Sitting on the ground, next to the cows, helped me develop a very strong connection with the cows but also with Earth. I learned how to ground myself and connect to the energies beyond.
I learned about unconditional love. I witnessed the great love the cows had for their babies. We let the calves nurse on their moms even though we milked them. There was more than enough milk to go around. When the calves were finally taken away, the cows bawled for days and days. I still remember the pain and longing in their calls.
All animals have the will to live. I could share many stories of how they expressed their desire to live but decided to omit the heartbreak. I can promise you; no animal willingly walks to their demise. In that respect, they are no different than you or I.
I learned what unbridled joy and gratitude look and feel like. When animals are happy, they express it fully and boldly. They run, jump, and move with such playful power you can’t help but laugh and feel joy.
Animals helped me find my path. They live in the moment and move through life without thinking about how others view them. They follow their truest instincts and adapt to the changes in their community. When left alone, animals find balance in their world.
Evolution
I no longer grow any of my food except some citrus fruits. It is easy to remember the commitment and long days required when caring for gardens and animals. This awareness helps me stay truly grateful for the farmers that produce the fruits, grains, and vegetables that I eat.
Our mindset and awareness evolve through life. We can change habits and beliefs at any time. This is a gift. Peace is found in creating a life where your heart and mind are aligned.
I honor the spirits of animals from long ago as they continue to guide me through life. I have eaten very little dairy, eggs, or meat in my 57 years. I do not necessarily share this with my coaching clients, but it is a big part of my high-vibrational lifestyle. I also know that my connection with animals long ago helped me shift my mindset and opened up a doorway to the unseen.
If you are ready to enter a portal of awareness to healing and unconditional love, check out some animal sanctuaries. One of my favorites is Gentle Barn. You can follow them on Instagram and learn about their rescues and the stories of survival and transformation. These places of healing show how our perception of an animal or even a person can change when we pause and feel. Learning to be courageously compassionate will bring peace to Earth. All else falls away.
by Polly Wirum
