animal optimism

In memory of Przzy

This beautiful cat, gone too soon.  A while back already, however she still inspires lessons. 

Love the concept of optimism.  In modern day emotional intelligence profiles done on human beings, one of the measurements that determine how well adjusted we are is looking at our sense of optimism.  While watching a bunch of trainers in the last week, work with a bunch of different animals, I was struck by the concept of optimism.  Some animals seem more engaged and it is almost as though they are optimistic about the outcome. Which is why they engage.

Animals that are more pessimistic are more prone to resist working compliantly with the trainer.

When I looked closely at why, I noted the following
- The trainers who engaged optimism were positive, confident and clear.
- The animals who were optimistic succeeded often, and were not afraid to offer behaviour

It is a simple lesson, however a nice way of looking at the relationships we inspire.

What is Przzy's part in all of this.  As a kitten, she came and found us.  We were sitting at an outdoor market watching a live music show.  She was a stray, however had obviously had a good start in life.  She came and lay in my lap like she belonged there.  Optimistic that she was coming home with us.  And she did.

The question we should always ask ourselves - are we inspiring optimism.  If not, where are we lacking in confidence, and what needs doing to generate our self-confidence, and then, the same in our amazing friends.