The Anatomy of a Giraffe: Part 1
While there still seems to be a debate about the evolutionary origin of the giraffe’s elongated neck (http://bit.ly/crazynecks) I like to think they emerged as a solution to finding untapped potential food sources around them, seeing growth as necessary for survival, rather than an optional pursuit.
Within the context of personal growth, the giraffe serves as an antidote to the crab (http://bit.ly/3bY8yCA), a source of inspiration, support, and encouragement, constant in its desire to elevate the interests and ambitions of others. Therefore, in our own attempt to grow, we should do as much as we can to surround ourselves with giraffes.
While, with their spots, gait, and neck, giraffes are easy to spot in the wild, they are a bit trickier to identify when they are masquerading as humans. To aid in your ability to recognize them, I have laid out three of the most common traits these beautiful creatures possess.
1. Selflessness
In times of joy:
“Congratulations, that’s awesome!”
“You are a great example and really inspire me.”
“I am so happy for you.”
Or in times of despair:
“Oh no, how are you feeling?”
“How can I help?”
“What do you need from me?
These are the noises a giraffe makes. In times of triumph, they celebrate you, and in times of pity, they fight the urge to turn it into a party, and instead focus on how they can help you.
The giraffe exists in a world of positivity and abundance. When you tell them you want to bungee jump, despite the fact that they might be scared to death to try themselves, they encourage you to pursue your ambitions, and rejoice in your successes.
Giraffes know when and how to make it about you.
2. Forward Looking
Perhaps the reason that giraffes find it so hard to look backwards is because of their long necks (questionable scientific basis for this statement, as in, no scientific basis). A true giraffe doesn’t dig up the past and remind you of the times you failed. The true giraffe encourages you to build on the knowledge and experience you’ve gained to continue to grow.
When you encounter a setback, they don’t see this as an opportunity to tell you “I told you so” or leverage this failure as proof why you should never challenge yourself, and instead play it safe.
The giraffe, most importantly, knows that people make mistakes and that we are more than sum of our mistakes. They remain focused on reminding us to pick ourselves up, dust ourselves off, reflect on what happened, and get back out there.
3. Consistency
One of my go to international chains is Starbucks. For many years, friends and family believed it was because the taste of the coffee. My palette is unfortunately not that refined, and it doesn’t matter what the coffee tasted like to me. I enjoy Starbucks because it provides me with one thing, fast, dependable WiFi connections.
Giraffes are equally well known for their consistency. Their dedication to encouraging and supporting you doesn’t waver based on the day, or their moods, or what they may have going on in their own lives. Giraffes are reliable. They are reliable in their ability to make time for you. They are reliable in the frankness which with they will speak. They are reliable in their optimism.
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Like any trait, the ones mentioned above are aspirational, meaning we can endeavor to be more of each trait every single day. We can never have too much.
Throughout each day, my goal is to possess just a little bit more giraffe, in the hopes that I embolden those around me to pursue that which makes their hearts, minds and bodies sing. And while I remain optimistic about the future and what we can individually and collectively accomplish, as contingency, I am going to make sure the manifest for the next ark has room for more than just two giraffes.
(Writing this article reminded me of this: Feel free to share your thoughts (http://rdbl.co/3rnXxB8)