Many people say we’re in the “information age,” but I believe we’re in the “relationship age.” Relationships are key to everything we do, and it’s a critical component to our success. Bamboo Farmers have a strong Bamboo Circle made up of people who support the watering process.
Do you know who we should look to for how to grow relationships? The dog.
I so badly wanted to get a puppy during the pandemic, but because I travel so often, it wouldn’t have been feasible for my family. Nevertheless, I’m a dog person and I believe they are the highest skilled creatures when it comes to relationships.
You could be with someone for a day and see them the next day and the next day, but then that third or fourth day goes by and you’re like “whatever, yeah, I’ll see you again tomorrow.” But a puppy? No way a puppy would lose interest. A puppy is excited to see you every moment of every day.
One of the things that hurt us from an early age is that we’re taught to avoid strangers. And one of the things my grandpa told me years ago is that “a stranger is just a friend you haven’t met.” I love this concept, and it’s definitely how a dog would approach any new relationship.
“A stranger is just a friend you haven’t met.”
So what if you approached your relationships like a dog and led with trust and approached people with excitement? I bet your relationships would be deeper and more meaningful.
Here’s a poem from Rudyard Kipling that puts this whole idea in perspective.
“If you can start the day without caffeine,
If you can get going without pep pills,
If you can always be cheerful, ignoring aches and pains,
If you can resist complaining and boring people with your troubles,
If you can eat the same food everyday and be grateful for it,
If you can understand when your loved ones are too busy to give you any time,
If you can overlook it when those you love take it out on you when, through no fault of yours, something goes wrong,
If you can take criticism and blame without resentment,
If you can ignore a friend’s limited education and never correct him,
If you can resist treating a rich friend better than a poor friend,
If you can face the world without lies and deceit,
If you can conquer tension without medical help,
If you can relax without liquor,
If you can sleep without the aid of drugs,
If you can say honestly that deep in your heart you have no prejudice against any creed, color, religion or politics,
Then, my friend,
you are ALMOST as good as your dog.”
-Rudyard Kipling
Have a fantastic holiday season!
This post is based on a podcast episode by Greg Bell.
Listen below for the full episode: