10 Important Life Lessons We Can All Learn From Animals

Even after all the evolution and civilization that humans have gone through, I’m yet to be convinced. I don’t think we are nearly as great as animals. We might be smarter than them, and we also have the ability to talk, but we lack so many other things. And animals are experts in those areas that we can definitely take some enlightenment from.

Here are 10 important life lessons that humans can learn from animals:

1. You Should Always Be Loyal To The One You Love

The first thing on my bucket list is to buy a dog. Preferably a Labrador. The second thing on my bucket list is to buy a horse. Preferably a Gypsy. They’re both two of the five most loyal animals in the world. I’ve seen dogs that, after their master’s death, refuse to leave their grave. And horses can’t lay flat or fold their legs according to their nature. But in times of need for shelter or to assist their master, they have done so, no matter how uncomfortable it is.

This is the kind of loyalty I have yet to see in humans.

2. You Can Be Strong But Also Graceful

Ever seen Elephants? Yeah, me too.

3. Think A Hundred Times Before You Make A Decision

If you notice, a lion takes a few steps back every time, before jumping to catch its prey. These few steps symbolize caution and thoughtfulness. Take time before making any important decisions. Or you’ll lose even that what you’ve got.

4. Live In The Moment And Make The Most Of What You’ve Got

Monkeys are such iconic creatures. No matter where they are, or what they have, they manage to have fun. They’re so goofy and happy. They’re grateful for whatever nature provides them with and they make the most of it.

5. Animals Aren’t As Different As We Think They Are

Dolphins can call each other by their names. When an elephant is upset, the herd comes together to cheer it up. Parrots and monkeys can, at times, mimic. At times of danger, so many animals manage to camouflage themselves. And there’s so much more to the similarities that animals have with humans.

6. Persistence and Survival In The Face Of Hardship

Camels can store up food and water in their humps and then go without feeding for several days. Cockroaches can survive without their heads for about a week. Before turning into a butterfly, a caterpillar goes through tough conditions. When the eggs of a mother snake hatch, the mother snake sets out to eat the babies. Only one out of the thousand newborns survives because it is fast enough to escape in time.

7. Work and Plan In Silence, Let Success Make The Noise

Tigers are known to be eerily quiet when hunting for a prey. Lions hunt in packs but tigers prefer hunting alone. They don’t want to give their prey the notion that they’re coming for them and they are also more independent in their earnings.

8. Don’t Give Up Even When People Are Bringing You Down

Have you heard the story of the Mongolian King, Timur? Once he was in a battle where he faced defeat. Out of shame and fear, he ran away and hid in a cave, in the outskirts of his land. During his time in the cave, he noticed an ant. The ant was carrying a piece of grain much bigger than its size. As it was climbing the wall, the weight would make the ant topple and fall down. But the ant would get up and try again. This was a constant effort for the ant but Timur was impressed by how the ant refused to give up. Finally, the ant made it to the top.

Taking inspiration, Timur when back out and gathered his soldiers another time. This time, they fought with hope and eventually they won not one battle, but a series after.

9. Respect Your Elders

Most of the survival tactics for wild animals come from the inherent knowledge of their elders. Wild animals live in packs and families. They make the elders the leader and treat them with respect because they understand that they possess more experience and wisdom. Honestly, considering today’s human generation, animals are so much more dignified when it comes to behavior.

It’s easier to break a single stick but if you bundle it up with a few more, and try to break them all together, they won’t budge. That’s how animals are too. Lone animals get hunted on easily, but when they flock together, they take care of each other. Sheep have their herds, lions have their cliques and bees have their swarms. All animals have a team and most stick to that team. They know that it’s best to share and look after each other than be lonely and arrogant.