What is Man Without the Beasts? Don’t Miss the 7 Gifts
by
Val Heart
Maimonides, the 12th century philosopher and physician said that “if we took care of ourselves as well as we do our animals we would suffer fewer illnesses.”
Many ancient tribal societies believed that animals could carry the illnesses of their owners. Today animal health care providers see a significant correlation between stressed owners and their sick animals.
Take a moment to notice how much you care for and love your pet. Notice the many gifts they have even though they may not be perfect. Love, appreciate and care for yourself at least that much.
Also notice if you’re in any way neglecting your animals, or have forgotten to be grateful for their many gifts to you. This is also instructive and shows you ways you may be neglecting, judging or mistreating yourself…
In order to stay healthy personally and within our community, we must stay connected with our animals. It’s important to treat them and ourselves with respect and honor, listening and learning from them on many levels.
“What is man without the beasts? If all the beasts were gone, man would die from great loneliness of spirit. For whatever happens to the beasts, soon happens to man. All things are connected.” – Chief Seattle
We rediscover our connection with the planet and our own Divine nature when we connect with other beings.
Can you imagine your life without animals in it? No animal games to make you laugh, or excuses to get out and get some exercise. No soft fur to stroke, or beautiful feathers to admire. No inquisitive face listening attentively to your problems without judging you. No unconditional love regardless of how your hair is or what you’re wearing.
How would your home or heart feel if there were no furry or feathered face waiting to greet you, to connect with you, to share their day with you?
If you have gotten distracted by all the daily chores and maybe got frustrated trying to cope with behavior problems, then take a moment to reconnect with the many spiritual qualities and gifts they bring every day.
To improve your relationships with your animals, you can start by counting the many blessings they share every day.
Consider these 7 remarkable gifts:
1. Help with Illness: Do you get sick frequently? Studies have shown that pet owners make fewer doctor visits, have shorter hospital stays and take less medication than folks who don’t have pets! Pet interaction also helps reduce the pain of arthritis, minimize the side effects of cancer, and even helps with Alzheimer’s Disease!!
2. Help with Heart Attacks: Want to get well faster after a heart attack? Dog owners are 8 times more likely to survive for more than 1 year after a heart attack than those who don’t have dogs! Increased survival rates are based on owning a dog, not on any other physical, psychological or social factor!
3. Help with Blood Pressure: Want to bring your blood pressure down? Before taking another pill, reach for your pet. Interacting with animals helps lower and balance blood pressure problems. Petting an animal is soothing to mind, body and spirit. We become more focused on loving and being loved which increases mood improving brain chemicals like serotonin and oxytocin.
4. Help with Weight Problems: Are you constantly on a diet? When you get hungry, play a game or going for a walk with your pet. Dozens of studies link higher levels of oxytocin with lower blood pressure, lower cortisol (the hormone associated with stress and weight gain), more positive social interactions, increased pain tolerance and faster wound healing.
5. Help to Live Longer: Want to live longer? Animals can even help lengthen life, and they certainly add to the quality of that life. In a study of nursing homes, when pets were included as part of the program, mortality rates were 25% lower than at facilities that didn’t include pets!
6. Help with Self Improvement: Do you need a master teacher, love guru or role model? Your animal companions know a lot about health and healing, loving and living life well. They are not bashful about asking directly for what they need or want. They take naps when they’re tired. And they know how to discharge energy through exercise and play.
7. Help with Fatigue and Depression: Are you isolated or feeling depressed, fatigued or sad? Studies have shown that the more true friends and companions we spend quality time with, the less ill, depressed and fatigued we are. If you have a minimum of 10 in your circle of friends, then statistics show that you won’t get fatigued or depressed nearly as much.
Other Beings in our lives sometimes serve us by reflecting back to us the lessons we are here to learn. Many companion animals choose to spend their lives attempting to break through our barriers, help us heal and become reconnected with all Life.
They touch our hearts and for that we are forever grateful.
Val Heart, Expert Animal Communicator, Behaviorist, Author, Master Healer — Providing Communication, Clarity, Balance and Healing for You and Your Animal.
Call (210) 863-7928, visit valheart.com
Get Val’s Free Report: 10 Things You Must Know Before Hiring An Animal Communicator valheart.com/animalcommunication/freereport.html
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What is Man Without the Beasts? Don’t Miss the 7 Gifts
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