Unfiltered Thoughts: I Know My Truth. A Controversial Opinion.

I have a theory that you’ll either support or question. And while I’m hoping more people will nod their heads in agreement on this, I think you’ll find my argument compelling.

?Plus, I’m curious to know people’s thoughts.

?Have I raised your curiosity? Good.

Here goes… I will say it as plainly as possible: if people were more like dogs, the world would be a much happier place.

That’s probably not what you expected, but it’s my truth.?

Think about it. How often do you come home from work or running errands frustrated by the people you met, encountered or spent the day with? How many recent conversations have you had where you KNOW the person wasn’t listening to you? And when was the last time you had a genuine interaction with a person that reduced your stress and made you happy, just being around them?

Now, when was the last time you walked past a dog or stopped to give a pat on the head, only to walk away thinking, darn, what a j*rk?

I'll wait...

Don’t get me wrong; humans are an alright, decent bunch overall, but dogs “are a man's best friend” for a reason. If you aren’t in agreement (YET!), I’ve got 16 reasons that may change your mind about why dogs are the true MVPs of our lives.

1.????? Endless Loyalty: Dogs redefine the meaning of loyalty. They stick with you through thick and thin – an actual ride-or-die situation. I have loyal friends and family, but I’d have to say my dog is the most loyal of all of them.?

2.???? Unconditional Love: Humans can be somewhat conditional with their love, but not our dogs. They love us no matter what – stressed out, bad mood and all.

3.???? No Judgment Zone: You can be your true, authentic self around dogs. They don't care about your flaws; they love you for who you are. However, people are becoming increasingly judgemental as our face-to-face interactions become fleeting in favour of Zoom and other devices.

4.??? Great Listeners: Need to vent about your day? Feeling stressed and need to talk it out? Dogs are the ultimate listeners. They might not offer advice, but those soulful eyes understand. How many people do you know that listen the way a dog does? I’ll wait…

?5.???? Never Too Busy: Unlike some humans, dogs are never too busy for quality time, whether it's playtime, a walk, or sitting with you when you need a quiet moment to unwind after a busy day.

6.??? Great Huggers: Having a dog snuggle up to you at the end of the workday can decrease your heart rate and help you relax. They are the undisputed champions of knowing just when we need a hug. I dare you to hug or snuggle with a dog and not find yourself relaxing.

7.??? Natural Stress Relievers: Feeling stressed? Do you feel anxious after the simple act of driving home because traffic sucks? Just spend some time with a dog. It's like an instant mood lift courtesy of our furry therapists.

8.??? Guardians of Joy: One of my favourites! Dogs have an uncanny ability to spread joy wherever they go. It's contagious, and we could all use more of that in our lives.

9.??? No Drama: When was the last time you were in the middle of unnecessary drama? It’s not pleasant, and it can be stressful. Dogs don't bring drama into your life. It's all about the fluff, the tail wags, and the pure, unfiltered happiness.

10.? Eternal Optimists: Unlike most of the news these days and people’s increasing focus on their half-filled cups, dogs have this incredible knack for seeing the bright side of life. Their enthusiasm is downright infectious.?

11.??? Fitness Motivators: Need a workout buddy? Dogs are always ready for a run or a game of fetch. They keep you active and healthy, and let’s remember #4 and #5 above – they always have time for a walk and are ready to listen if you want to chat while out there!

?12.? Unmatched Empathy: We spend so much of our time isolated, as many of us work from home, that we no longer have the same support system we once had. Combine that with so many people looking ‘the other way’ as a form of self-preservation that we have few people we can count on when we need support. Dogs can sense when you're feeling down and will do everything they can to comfort you. It's like having a built-in emotional support system.?

13.? No Grudges Held: Humans might hold onto grudges, but not dogs. They forgive and forget faster than you can say "treat."

14.? Unwavering Patience: Many of us live in a state of fast-forward, glorifying a life of ‘busy.’ It’s evident in the increasing number of horns honking in traffic and sighs in the checkout line in any store. But not our furry besties; they have the patience of saints.

?15.? Always Excited to See You: Coming home to a dog is like being a celebrity—there’s nothing like it. The sheer excitement and joy they express when you walk through the door is unparalleled.

16.? Pure, Unbridled Happiness: Last but certainly not least, dogs bring abundant happiness into our lives. Their joy is contagious, and everything seems a bit brighter and kinder in their presence.

I’m stopping here because I believe I made my point. And if you aren’t entirely on board yet, here are my final thoughts…

We live in a world that is at war. There is increased crime in our neighbourhoods (my house was broken into last month, but that’s a story for another day), some CEOs are jacking up prices on necessities like groceries, and corporate profits are soaring while so many are struggling to pay their rent or mortgage.

People are making the decisions behind all of this chaos.

People are taking their frustrations out on one another.

There is less kindness for the sake of being kind.

Less listening to understand and learn.

But dogs…

They just want to make us happy. Full stop.

So, I’ll say it again: if people were more like dogs, the world would be a much happier place.

What do you think? Let’s start a conversation—share your thoughts on this in the comments.

Be authentic. Be real. Be kind. (and consider rescuing a dog)

-David

#UnfliteredThoughts #PersonalGrowth #lessonsinleadership #dogsareamansbestfriend #resilience #gratitude #BeKind #BeAuthentic