Motivational speaker Tony Robbins in an exercise asks his audience to look around the room and count the number of brown things that they see. He then asks them to close their eyes, and recall how many red things they saw. They laugh, because they obviously didn’t see anything red, because they were only focusing on looking for brown things. I often refer to this exercise when I’m feeling negative, and only focusing on “the brown things.” 

You only see what you’re looking for. 

A few weeks ago, the weather was perpetually grey and gloomy and I was feeling quite stuck in a rut, so I challenged myself to go out and only look for colour. My attitude and mood changed almost instantly. My world became more interesting, vibrant and exciting by simply changing my focus. 

There is something incredibly special about the unique relationship formed between animals and humans. Animals are able to demonstrate and communicate to us an unconditional love that we rarely if ever experience in life.

When we adopt an animal we commit to be its guardian and to provide them with a ‘forever home.’ In the process the animal ends up adopting us by giving an abundance of love and undying loyalty. This love can be one of the most powerful expressions that human beings can experience. Often when one loses a pet, people can’t grasp the significance of the loss and respond by saying “its only a pet” but it is much more profound than this. This loss can also be experienced just as strongly by an animal who prematurely loses its human companion.

I was recently reminded of this special relationship while watching the hollywood film Hachi: A Dog’s Tale. This tear-jerking movie tells the remarkable true story of the unbreakable bond between a man and a dog Hachi. Hachi has so much to teach us about true loyalty and love, and truly is a hero. 

Trailer