We spend our lives forever searching for things that amuse and titillate us. We need not look far, for what we yearn for is often just a search away. Yet there is one thing that demands our utmost attention, one we constantly adore: our love of animals.
We see animals every day—a bird flying beyond our line of sight, a beast of prey glimpsed in the wild, or a loving pet waiting at home. There is much we can learn from our feathered and furred companions. We gain insight from their movements, beyond what is immediately visible.
Philosopher Arthur Schopenhauer spoke of the distinction between humans and animals: “The animal communicates its feelings by gesture and sound; man/woman communicates thought to another, or conceals it… by language.” Reflecting on this, we realise how different we are from our animal friends. Humans identify with concepts and apply our minds in ways that surpass immediate understanding, whereas animals exist entirely within the realm of their impulses.
We can generally understand an animal’s species and behaviour, yet there is always an element we cannot fathom. Throughout their actions, animals act on impulse, without deliberation, expressing the character of their species in a pure, natural way. They can sense and feel things from a distance, recognizing when other animals—and even humans—are in pain. They are structurally diverse, yet symmetrically dynamic.
So, what can we learn from animals? They show us that simplicity in life is possible, even when we so easily forget it under pressure. Amid all our complexities, animals at times embody what we aspire to be. As much as humans long to live fully in the present moment, it is not physiologically possible. Animals, however, live entirely in the now, while we dwell in the past and the future.
Even though humans have more complex needs than animals, we can still embrace simplicity to navigate our problems. Often, solutions appear when we break things down and keep life simple, avoiding pettiness and focusing on our true needs. Observing animals and nature allows us to pause and realise that many of our desires, frustrations, and preoccupations can suddenly feel… futile.
Animals also reveal vulnerability, something we recognise in children, that makes them irresistible. Through understanding animals, we learn to appreciate the simplicity of a gesture, a welcoming smile—things that may seem small or insignificant yet carry immense value.
Ultimately, animals teach us that our world, our communities, and our thoughts extend beyond ourselves. They remind us of the beauty of simplicity, presence, and connection—lessons we would do well to carry into our daily lives. This is what we can learn from understanding animals, that our world, our community, and our thoughts, goes beyond…ourselves.
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