Observations about our lifestyle… from your veterinarian in Markham
A few months ago, I was driving downtown in the morning to the Ontario Veterinary Medical Association Annual Meeting. This is the biggest meeting in Canada for continuing education and updates on innovation in the veterinary industry. Veterinarians from Markham, Stouffville, Richmond Hill, and from all over Ontario participated. But I don’t want to write about anything medical today.
What we can learn from Pets…
When I was sitting in the car on the Don Valley Parkway during rush hour, listening to the radio business news, it struck me. We humans are so shortsighted and try to maneuver ourselves into the best position all the time, even if we hardly ever succeed. Drivers jockey for the best lane, incessantly jumping from one lane to the next in the pursuit of getting there faster. I stayed in one lane and watched as some cars passed me, just to pass them again a few minutes later. Why bother changing lanes? Listening to the stock market updates on the radio it became quite clear: People buy in anticipation of a rising stock, and then it goes down and they would have been better off having their portfolio unchanged.
Our dogs and cats are much more laid back. They don’t try to outmaneuver everyone for personal gain.
Why is it that we humans always want to be ahead, beating the general flow of time? Why do we delude ourselves with the impression that constant buying and selling, back and forth is actually giving us an advantage?
I believe it takes more discipline to stay on course than to change. It costs more effort to reflect and persist on one route than to follow the temptation of rapid changes. In the long run, nice and steady leads to great results and reduces our stress level, hence improving our wellness level.
This applies to driving, investing, but also to good healthy living. Good diet, regular exercises, a variety of regular activities, stimulating social and spiritual environment, and, among others, someone to care for (our pets?) are definitely helping us to stay on top for many years.
Dr. Ernst Marsig
Practicing Veterinary Medicine in Markham for a Long and Happy Life of ALL Your Pets.
