The Dog Star: It’s A Long Fall Off A High Horse
(The Dog Star is a symbol of power, will, and steadfastness of purpose, and exemplifies the One who has succeeded in bridging the lower and higher consciousness. – Astrological Definition)
I have a new, free video series on RESOLVE: http://www.summitconsulting.com/resolve/ and, as I frequently do, I use my dogs as examples throughout the videos. I talk about how optimistic they are every day, and how they integrate learning.
The responses to the series have been fantastic, but one person wrote to say that he resents being compared to dogs (“If my dogs can do it, you can do it” I say at one point), and feels I should come up with different examples (in my free videos). He never mentions the worth of the content.
I recall once asking an audience of raucus consultants to be quite and sit down (“SIT!” I shouted) so that I could begin my speech. They laughed and did so, except for one guy who said, “I’m a CMC and won’t be talked to like that! You have no right to insult the best people in the profession!” (Well, I’m a GWWPUWIE—guy who won’t put up with inflated egos, so sit down and shut up.)
I’m constantly telling people that I’m surprised at how stupid I was just two weeks ago. You can compare me to a slug if it will help me learn something. I’m nether so insecure nor so arrogant that I need a constant, positive litany of my standing or recognition of the indecipherable 19 initials after my name.
You could be a lot worse off than being compared to a purebred German Shepherd. And if you don’t like dogs, I’ll remind you that it’s a long, long fall off a phony high horse.
© Alan Weiss 2012. All rights reserved.
Peter McLean
Given that on average dogs display the cognitive functioning of three year olds (give or take a year depending on the experts cited) and that when they were three my girls spoke in eloquent paragraphs and displayed a great deal of intelligence and wisdom, I would think some folks should be heartened by the comparison and recognise that they could learn a thing or two. My dog knows who takes care of him and how to get some positive attention and appreciation – maybe they could learn that too.
Alan Weiss
Beautifully expressed. I find I can learn from almost anything and am never embarrassed by the source, or so insecure that I resent the connection.