I have dogs. Three, to be exact. I love my dogs, but sometimes they just get out of control…like tonight. So, as I sit here typing this, listening to the ever increasing sounds of their arfs and woofs, it’s beginning to occur to me how similar to dogs we are.

A minute ago there was one lone bark outside my bedroom window; that was it, just one. My little Chihuahua sat up, waited a second, and when no one responded she let out two excited barks back. My Schneagle, not to be out-done, stands up and follows her two barks with two of his own. My Beagle, who has slowed considerably since turning 10 years old last December, decides it’s time to take action and proceeds to throw out a myriad of barks and hysterically runs into the living room. As each dog adds their own sounds and actions to the mix the other dogs feel the need to not only join in, but accelerate the noise and excitement. Now all three dogs are running throughout the house, in a kind of frenzy, barking up a storm.

While the noise level in the house begins to match the sound of a jet engine, it’s occurring to me; this must be how negativity and fear spreads. One person has a small experience. They become excited, fearful, angry. Full of this emotion, they passionately tell another person, who then becomes excited, fearful, angry and they tell another person, and so on. Each time the excitement, fear, anger expands as each person picks up the last person’s emotions and then piles theirs on top.

All of this reaction may be completely unfounded. In the case of my dogs, and probably in many situations, they never really knew what was going on, they just made assumptions based on the emotions and actions of others.

In the time it has taken me to write this my dogs are all calm again, stretched out in various lounging positions around me, completely relaxed with their eyes half closed. They don’t even remember all that excitement and craziness. They’re into the next experience.

I think I’ll follow their lead on letting go of the past and being in the moment, and choose to actually get the facts before I ACT, instead of REACTING, on other people’s emotions. Since human nature seems to be against me on both of these I’ll let you know how I do.

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Cat Parah offers Intuitive Happiness Coaching. When you’re ready to Awaken Your Intuitive Happiness contact Cat at cat.parah@gmail.com.

The information, sessions and workshops I offer are at no time meant to replace medical advice. Although I am certified in many complimentary therapies, I am not a licensed medical physician. If you are experiencing physical, mental, emotional issues please seek advice from a licensed physician.