Lori Robinson's Blog, page 3

Animal Communication with a Horse – A Sad Story with a Happy Ending

My Animal Communication with a horse named Salvadore was one of my most memorable sessions I’ve had in the seven years I’ve been working in this field.

From the minute I tuned into Salvadore I felt an overwhelming sense of sadness. The feeling was so deep and strong I had to check in with myself to make sure I wasn’t projecting – are these my feelings, or Salvadore’s?

Once Salvadore understood that I was asked to have a session with him because his caretakers were worried about him and wanted to understand his recent behavior, he began downloading information to me.

He told me that he wasn’t heard or respected by the staff where he is boarded, that he doesn’t know who his owner is, and isn’t sure what his routine is. He let me know in no uncertain terms that he hates the facility where he is boarded. Basically he told me nothing was working for him. He felt trapped and angry.

At one point the feeling of being abused came into my consciousness though I wasn’t receiving any images of people hitting Salvadore or hurting him physically.

Underneath this horse’s sad demeanor I sensed a smart, strong and independent character, a very proud being.

When I talked to the owner about my animal communication reading she revealed that Sal’s behavior had become unpredictable, and the grooming staff were now afraid of him. The more afraid people were of Sal, the less time, attention and turn-outs into the pasture he received. The less time Sal had out of his small stall the more cooped up and frustrated he felt. Salvadore was on a downward cycle that I feared would only get worse.

My human client also confirmed that the ownership issue Sal brought up in my reading with him was indeed confusing. Salvadore had recently been sold to a woman (the sister of the person who hired me for this animal communication session) for her niece to ride. “When my daughter leaves for college in two years Sal will be driven across the country to live with his new owner (my sister) who has a large ranch,” the woman who hired me said.

I went back to Sal to tell him all about the plans for his life. I transferred images from my mind to his of a large open pasture surrounded by pine forest, telling him he needed to just hang in there for another two years.

But Salvadore was so adamant that he could no longer live where he currently was. “They even insist on putting a blanket on me every night (he had started to kick the person doing that) which made him overheated,” he told me.  He felt there was little hope to get heard in any capacity since the smallest thing, like not wanting a blanket, was not an option.

Sal’s human caretakers laid out the many valid reasons why he could not be moved temporality to a new boarding facility while waiting for his permanent new home. It seemed there was no option for him except to endure two more years at his present facility.

I agonized over that animal communication session for weeks. I would wake in the middle of the night feeling how angry Salvadore was and wondered how many other animals are in similar situations but without such kind and caring caretakers trying to find solutions.

Two months later Sal’s caretaker contacted me to say that things with Sal had gotten so bad he was labeled a danger to others and was not allowed out of his stall at all. I can’t say I was surprised.

But the happy part of this story is what she told me next.

Happy Ending to My Communication with Salvadore 

The situation and Sal’s demeanor was so dire, everyone involved decided to fast forward their plans and send him across the country right away.

She told me that ever since he first arrived at his new place in Florida Sal has been perfect. “He is a brand-new horse,” she said. “He gets along with the other horses (in fact has become best friends with one of them) at the farm, and happily lets people ride and groom him, showing none of his previous behaviors.”

After that conversation I checked in with Sal for an animal communication update with him.  He told me that in the final days before they decided to expedite their plans to move him to Florida he had become so miserable he had given up on life. He didn’t care if he lived or died.

Although he is still adapting to the new place on the ranch, with other horses, a trainer and owner who is a vet that understands and communicate with him, he is so much happier. His days are full with people and other horses and a few ranch dogs that he shares his new home with.

The gentle, proud, cooperative Salvadore is once again able to shine.

Animals sometimes have no way of communication their needs except for acting out until someone listens. Animal Communication with a Horse, or any other animal, is one of the best methods of creating a relationship that is truly two-sided so that it works for both human and animal. Luckily for Salvadore this story had a happy ending.

Note: This true story was written with permission from Salvadore’s human companions.

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Tanzania Safari – the top 11 things to do

A Tanzania safari is one of Africa’s most popular destinations. And for good reason.  

This east African country is a great choice whether you’re taking your first African safari, or you’ve done many safari’s. 

While working as the Africa Adventures Specialist for the Jane Goodall Institute I designed and led numerous trips to Tanzania. Besides Gombe Stream, home to Jane Goodall’s infamous wild chimpanzees, my itineraries always included several other areas that I recommend to anyone going to Tanzania.                                         Photo by Bill Wallauer, Jane Goodall Institute

If you have researched safaris you probably know that one of the main attractions for an East Africa safari is the wildebeest migration.

Wildebeest Migration as seen from the air.

One of the largest animal migrations in the world, over two and a half million wildebeest, zebra and gazelle follow the rains in an annual circle through Kenya and Tanzania in search of new grass.

If seeing the migration is on your tanzania Safari list…

[If going to see the migration is your main reason for choosing Tanzania for your safari make sure you read my post about what to expect from the migration. Read the post  HERE.]

Migration or not, a Tanzania safari has so much to offer; much of it unique from safaris in other countries. I highly recommend it.

My list of the 11 top experiences for any safari in Tanzania: Hike to see the wild chimpanzees of Gombe National Park Explore the vast Serengeti ecosystemWitness one of the greatest wildlife spectacles on earth (the migration of millions of wildebeest );Journey down into the Ngorongoro Crater (considered one of the world’s natural wonders)Tour Olduvai Gorge—considered the cradle of mankind Drive amongst large herds of elephants in Tarangire National ParkVisit Maasai Tribes in their traditional bomasHave lunch (or stay the night) at Gibbs FarmVisit Tanzania’s southern circuit: Selous and Ruhaha, to escape the crowdsHike KilimanjaroShop at the Maasai Market in Arusha 

 

Do you need help planning your Tanzania (or any other African country) safari? Set up a one-hour phone consult with me to get answers to all your safari questions.  

Contact me, Lori Robinson – lorisavingwild@gmail.com

 

 

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Tanzania Safari – Where to go

A Tanzania safari is one of Africa’s most popular destinations. And for good reason.  This east African country is a great choice whether you are taking your first African safari, or you’ve done many safari’s. 

Working as the Africa Adventures Specialist for the Jane Goodall Institute I designed and led numerous trips to East Africa. My itineraries focused on Tanzania because they included Tanzania’s smallest park, Gombe, home to Jane Goodall’s infamous wild chimpanzees.                                        Photo by Bill Wallauer, Jane Goodall Institute

Two of three East African countries (Tanzania and Kenya) are known for the wildebeest migration.

Wildebeest Migration as seen from the air.

One of the largest migrations in the world, over two and a half million animals follow the rains in an annual circle through Kenya and Tanzania in search of new grass.

[The migration is not what most people imagine. Read my post about it HERE.]

 

Still, a Tanzania safari has so much to offer; much of it unique. And I highly recommend it.

Here is my list of what I consider to be the top experiences for any Tanzania safari: Hike to see the wild chimpanzees of Gombe National ParkExplore the vast Serengeti ecosystemWitness one of the greatest wildlife spectacles on earth (the migration of millions of wildebeest);Journey down into the Ngorongoro Crater (considered one of the world’s natural wonders); andTour Olduvai Gorge—the cradle of mankind and the beginning of Jane Goodall’s journey to GombeDrive amongst large herds of elephants in Tarangire National ParkVisit the Maasai Tribes in their traditional bomasHave lunch (or stay the night) at Gibbs FarmVisit Tanzania’s southern circuit Parks, Selous and Ruhaha, to escape the crowdsHike KilimanjaroShop at the Maasai Market in Arusha

 

Need help planning your Tanzania (or any other African country) safari? Set up a one hour phone consult with me to get answers to all your safari questions.  

Contact me, Lori Robinson – lorisavingwild@gmail.com

 

 

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#1 Tip for Attracting Birds to your Backyard

 

I’ve planted natives, added water features, and put out bird seed in the hopes of attracting birds to my backyard.  As a result, my California cottage garden is full of bird activity and song every day.

But there is one thing I recently learned that tops all others for attracting birds to a backyard.

~~~

As I write this, it’s spring, and it’s raining catepillars. Seriously, I’ve just come inside from working in my garden to find four of the pin-sized butterflies-in-the-making hitching a ride on my clothing.

I’m thrilled.

Why?  Because although I’ve never been particularly drawn to caterpillars, I love birds. And what I recently learned is the majority of bird species rely on caterpillars (not seeds) for sustenance. Especially for feeding their babies.

Birds rely on caterpillars, not seeds, to feed their offspring.

 

Bird parents need hundreds of the wriggling creatures a day to feed a nest full of growing fledglings. Having alot of caterpillars in the garden means I’ll be able to help sustain the breeding birds. Our feathered friends need the catepillars for their main source of nutrition.

If you too are a bird lover and you want to attract more birds to your backyard then the question you should be asking yourself is this: How do I get more catepillars in my garden?

I will tell you after I step outside to gently remove the wriggling creatures from my shirt and pants and place them on some leaf mulch.

OK, I’m back.

 

So, how do you support catepillars in order to attract more birds to your garden?

 

The good news is that there is one main thing you can do to help birds thrive. You can grow a keystone native tree in your garden.

A one-hundred-year-old oak embraces the back patio of my small California cottage. Its branches almost graze my bedroom sliding doors, comforting me when I sleep.  

Now that I’ve learned about the oak’s role as food and housing for over 400 species of catepillars my already immense respect and love for the resident tree has quadrupled.

Oaks (Quercus) are a keystone tree that will go a long way to helping your avian visitors and adding biodiversity to every garden. Depending on the area you live in other keystone species  include the cherry (Prunus), and willow (Salix). Those, as well as birches, cottonwoods, and elms are the top woody producers in the USA and best for caterpillars.

Find native plant inspiration for your garden along your local hiking trails.If you are thinking – I don’t have room for a Huge tree in my garden – read on.

If you don’t have room for a tree, you can plant herbaceous natives. Goldenrods, asters, and sunflowers (top three to plant in the US) also provide shelter and food needed for insects that feed birds.

When keystone species are removed from an ecosystem (your garden is an ecosystem) the arch of that system falls down. The food web falls apart. And the wildlife suffer.

Adding only one, or a few, of these native plant powerhouses will go a long way towards helping our wild friends, making your garden more eco- friendly and increasing biodiversity on this planet.

96% of bird species rely on insects for their nutritional needs.

There is one more thing to consider in making the most of your plantings.

These keystone plants need to cared for in ways that enable the caterpillars to complete the four stages of their lifecycles.

A catepillar’s egg and larval stages rely on the host plant.  Afterwards, the grown caterpillar falls to ground under the tree (or bush) to burrow into soil or spin a cocoon in the leaf litter. This is just one of a myriad of reasons why not planting a lawn under your tree or bushes, and not raking up all your leaf litter are good gardening practices.  Add ground cover, plant beds of compatible natives, or simply leave the leaves be. Your soil, trees, and wildlife will be better off.

To find out what keystone trees and herbaceous plants are good choices for your area visit the National Wildlife Federation’s Native Plant Finder website.

Saving Wild starts in any patch of earth (no matter how large or small) you have the privilege of stewarding. The wilder we allow (and encourage) our gardens to be, the better off our wild friends, the planet, and we, will be.

So go get yourself a new native caterpillar loving plant from your local nursery or botanical garden, and let me know how you are attracting more birds to your backyard. 

 

 

 

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Point, Shoot and Pray: 6 Best Safari Photo Tips

“Photographic pros and amateurs alike can all learn from each other,” says wildlife photographer Chris Martin.  Chris and I are both bloggers for Africa Geographic – one of my favorite magazines. For this post I asked Chris Martin to share his six top safari photography tips for capturing great photos of wildlife.

Chris Martin Photo

 

Though I’ve been traveling to Africa for 30 years, I’ve never paid much attention to how to take a good safari photo.
PSP (point, shoot and pray) has been my photographic motto.

How to take a good safari photo alluded me.

But now that I’m writing stories and posting images for my own, as well as one of Africa’s top magazine blogs, it’s time to pay attention to the quality of my pictures.

That’s why I was delighted to find Chris’ top ten list for taking better photos of animals.

Read on to find six of his suggestions I find most helpful for taking a good photo, whether you are on an African safari or not.

 

Chris Martin’s 6 Tips on How to Take Great Safari Photos:

1. Get familiar with the workings of your camera

Chris’ first suggestion is probably obvious, but half the people on the safaris I lead (including me) have not taken the time to know their camera.

Chris says, “You need to understand how to switch between functions almost blindfolded. Often you will need to make adjustments to your shooting settings whilst the african animal is in the frame … easy to do if you know the location of all the function buttons, impossible if you don’t.”

Chris Martin Photo

2. An image is nothing if it isn’t razor sharp

“Forget post processing and the sharpening tool. If you are sloppy with your focusing you will spoil your image. This is probably the most common fault in most images I’m asked to review,” says Chris. He suggests using a camera support: either a tripod, monopod or a bean bag (if shooting from a vehicle). “I rarely hand hold a camera when working from my safari vehicle. When you settle into position on your sighting and are getting ready to shoot, turn off the engine as even the vibrations of the vehicle can potentially ruin a great shot,” he cautions. Remembering only this one tip will help you take good safari photos.

 

3. Get dirty and shoot from low down 

According to Chris, “Perspective is everything, and so often we become accustomed to having to shoot from above – a position that is generally unflattering. When you can, shoot from below the eye level of your subject. Try it, and see the difference.”

 

Chris Martin Photo

4. Consider your foreground, background and horizon

Always look at “the space behind your subject to see what else is in the image (do the same for the foreground). Consider whether you want the background to be in focus, or blurry. Be careful of sticks, branches etc in your foreground that could “grow out” of your image and potentially ruin your shot. Finally, if there is a horizon in your composition, make sure it’s straight,” says Chris.

Chris Martin Photo

5. Grab your first shot … and compose your second 

“As I approach wildlife, I always get a ‘grab shot’”, says Chris. “Once you’ve done that, move in closer and compose your next safari photos more creatively, using as many angles as possible and looking for unique ways to highlight the animals most distinctive features … even if the animal flees, you have one photo already in the can.”

 

The next safari photo tip will make every photo you take better.

6. The animal’s eye is your focal point: 

“The expression from an animal’s eye can make or break a safari photo. You should not only have the eye as your primary focal point, but should also look to use the available light to highlight this feature and really make your image stand out. Either way, the eye is always the sharpest point of any world-class wildlife image.”

This is hard to accomplish sometimes because the animal is looking away, or the light is not right, but when you can get their eye in the right light, you will understand why this is one of the most important tips for how to capture outstanding photos on safari.

 

I design the photo safari workshop itineraries for Jackson, Wyoming wildlife photographer Henry Holdsworth.  Join him to really take your safari photography to a whole other level.

To learn more about his next photographic safari in Africa, contact me, LoriSavingWild@gmail.com

 

 

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Giraffe Dies in Unusual Circumstances

I’m watching a spotted hyena whittle away at the slimy, saliva softened, sun-bleached jaw-bone of a dead giraffe. It’s all that remains from a giraffe that likely died after a long chase and fatal bite to the jugular. It’s predator? Probably a lion, my guide  Seko tells me.

After the big cat pride had taken their fill, others – jackals, hyena, vultures – would have cleaned up the remains and chewed the bones for much-needed calcium. 

Hyenas live in packs but this girl won’t announce her giraffe jaw bone prize to her clan – too much effort for very little reward. We leave her be.

 

Spotted Hyena eating giraffe jaw bone.ANOTHER Giraffe

A few minutes further along the dirt road, we spot another dead giraffe. “Around  25 years of age,” according to Seko, “an old male.”

We stare at the fallen being. His stomach entrails are spilled outside of its cavity (possibly the work of one hyena) but otherwise, the giraffe is intact.

 Animals die in the African bush every day, but it’s rare to see a whole dead animal. Why? Because every animal is food for other animals. Sick or dead bodies are quickly and completely devoured, rarely leaving a trace let alone an entire mostly intact body.

From the looks of it, this giraffe was a lucky one. He died peacefully. For his entire life, and in his final weakened state of old age, he beat the odds. He avoided being taken down by lions, fatally kicked by other male giraffes, or killed by bush meat poachers. Highly unusual for the African bush.

 

Instead, he laid down in this open circle of grass edged by shrubs, stretched his long neck against the earth and land he had called home for a quarter of a century, and then took his last breath.GIRAFFE FRIENDSeko says he knows this giraffe. “This male was the first giraffe I learned to recognize when I started guiding in this area about eight years ago.” There’s a sadness in Seko’s voice. He’s lost a friend.I wonder who, besides Seko (and me), notice that this great giraffe being is gone? Did he have friends, family or loved ones?  Did any of them witness his passing three days earlier? 

 

Loneliness – for the giraffe, for myself – envelops me.  

 

Elephants continue to visit the bones of dead family members, ritualistically mingling among the remains as a part of their process of letting go of the deceased. Do giraffes have a similar ritual?

No matter, death is a solo act.

Seko’s giraffe friend had lived an elegant and wonderful life before dying with peace and dignity.

That’s the best we can hope for in our final days.Later, I wonder if the hyena we had seen realized that a few minutes walk from the jaw-bone lay a whole meal for the taking – an elegant gentle giant waiting to be reintegrated into the Botswana sand and earth from which he originated. 

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Becoming an Animal Communicator – Is it Real?

I’m sitting in a circle of women (and one man) in a living room lined with overstuffed chairs, small porcelain replicas of cats and dogs, and flowered wall-paper.  A golden retriever sleeps at my feet, and a tabby cat wanders the room looking for friendly laps. The instructor begins the Becoming an Animal Communicator workshop with the obligatory sharing question – What made you sign up for this course?

“I recently met a woman who says she’s an animal communicator,” I begin. “Intrigued but too shy to ask what that even meant, I felt myself wishing I too could talk to animals and hear what they have to say back,” I share. I think it would be amazing to be able to talk to the elephants, cheetah, and zebra on the groups I lead for my work as an African Safari Specialist. But I can’t  imagine how to do it.

“Truthfully, it seemed like the woman I met was part of a cult. I’m here purely out of curiosity,” I tell the class. I’m completely clear that entrance to this cult of animal communicators belongs to a chosen few. And I’m not one of the lucky ones.

Carol, our teacher, doesn’t resemble what I imagine a professional animal communicator looks like. She is middle-aged, and petite with no spiritual or otherwise woo woo aura about her.

“Anyone can do this,” she repeats several times. “We all have this inside of us, we just need to reconnect to it.”

After guiding the class through a couple of exercises to learn to listen to, and trust our instincts, and get out of our heads, Carol leads us in a visualization to a golden beam of light.

“This light is what we will use to communicate with the animal in the photo you are each holding,” she says. I had given a photo of my dog Zia to a participant named Kristie, and she had given me a copy of a photo of her dog Ollie.

I stare at the black and white image of my ‘client’ Ollie, having no knowledge of him except gender, name and that he had recently died.

“Just write in your journal, without questioning anything that comes to mind,” Carol had instructed us.

For a few minutes I stare into Ollie’s eyes but nothing comes to my mind. I focus on blocking out my surroundings, looking as deeply as I can into Ollies’ eyes looking back at me, until I have the sensation of being inside a capsule that holds only Ollie and me.

Then I begin writing:

I miss morning time sitting on the blue sofa watching TV; I had a food bowl with little pictures of bones all over it; and I wore a red collar. Tell her it’s Ok to get another dog now.

Images and statements like these flow into my mind’s eye. I don’t question anything, I just write everything as it comes to me.

Thirty minutes later Kristie and I sit across from each other reporting on what we had written down. The purpose is to get validation, or not, about what each of us had received from the other’s animal companion.

“It felt like Ollie was there next to me,” I say, and begin with the blue sofa. I tell Kristi everything in my notes without making excuses or qualifying any of it although I’m nervous that what I’ve written is a list of nonsensical made-up statements.

Is Animal Communication Real?

 

Kristie confirms each of the things I read from my notes and starts crying.

I complete three different readings with different owners and pets. Each time I’m watching the animal in it’s surroundings, behaving, and giving messages that are unique to each reading. My mind searches to make sense of these experiences. How is it possible to get this information from dogs and owners I’ve never met before this moment? Is it luck that I happen to get things correct? Only after getting validation in each reading I begin to understand this couldn’t be lucky guesses. Something is happening that my rational mind can’t make sense of.

During a break in a private moment Carol tells me she rarely sees someone in her beginning classes able to be as accurate as I am with my readings.

“Maybe because you spend so much time in Africa and grew up with so many animals your abilities are still intact,” she says. “You should do this for a living,” she adds.

The following day I call Carol, confused. “I feel like I’m in a trance, I’m not sure what happened to me, but I feel strange. Like I’m in a dream.”

In her down to earth, this is all normal sensibility, she validates my ability, guides me out of my altered state and presents a clearer picture of what working as an animal communicator would mean.

The following weekend Ollie comes back into my mind’s eye with more messages I need to tell Kristie.  Within a few months I have many referrals from Kristie posting about her experience with me on social media. And Carol and I co-design and teach a class together that includs a section on communicating with wild animals.

I have since studied with some of the top animal communicators across the globe and have come to understand that what the animal and I are using to connect is a Universal language. It’s the way animals communicate all the time. Their defaut. But for us humans it’s our least familiar way. We are born knowing it, but loose our ability (and belief in it) as we become acculturated.

Yet still, years later, before each session I have with an animal, I question my ability. I worry whether it will work this time, and whether I am making up the information that comes to me.

Only once the owner validates what I learned in my session with their human companion do I allow myself to trust. I’m told this doubt is common and will fade over time.

When I tell people I’m an animal communicator I often get a strange look. I’m assuming they think I’m part of some woo-woo cult. And that’s just fine with me.

Want more about becoming an animal communicator?

 

– Read about a session I did with a chicken named Butter.

– Schedule a session for your animal companion.

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Earth Day, Every Day

What is Earth Day? It’s a day to celebrate, praise and notice Mother Earth. A day to remember all she is, all she does, and all she gives. A reminder that without Mother Earth, none of us would be alive.

For Earth Day, and every day for that matter, go outside. Take some deep breaths. Soak up the sunlight. Taste the air on your tongue, feel the wind kiss your cheeks, let your bare feet meet the dirt, grass, and sand.

Go for a walk. Look, listen and smell the world around you. Engage all of your senses and notice what you often don’t. Notice the breathtaking display of flowers and bushes, grasses and trees – everywhere. Breathe in their scents. Notice the chirps, buzz and clicks of birds, insects, and squirrels. What are they saying?  Notice the colors – every shade of every color, everywhere. 

Say outloud, hello natural world, I see you. 

And then try to comprehend the miraculous biodiversity of life. Try to imagine all that Mother Nature is, all that Mother Nature has and all that Mother Nature does for us. Really try to understand—reach and bend and stretch until your heart and mind are gaping.

Then celebrate her.

Kiss the trees. Dance in a meadow. Sing with the birds. Play in the dirt. Join the animals and the birds and the angels, the silent song of the flowers and trees in praise of her.

And honor her with a commitment to action.

Pick up litter, plant a garden, feed the birds, remove a fence, let a weed grow, let a raccoon share your patio, save a spider.  

Let her know you are grateful…. So grateful.

Wish Mother Earth a happy Earth Day and make a promise that when people ask when is Earth Day, you will answer, “Every day!”

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Being Jane Goodall

Jane Goodall’s birthday is April 3rd.  She will be 88.  By that time in life, most people have chosen to retire, slow down and live a more quiet life. But being Jane Goodall, she has done the opposite.

She has turned up the volume on her work to save the world’s wild ones and wild places. Most years she travels over 300 days giving lectures, attending meetings like CITIES, accepting honors, and visiting and inspiring hoards of school children who are members of her worldwide Roots & Shoots program. Not even the pandemic slowed down her busy schedule, albeit she did most of her meetings on line.

If there is news about wildlife, Dr. Jane is among the first to give a comment or make a widely quoted statement. Most recently she has been speaking out about the wildlife trade (as it relates to the spread of viruses), and with editor Doug Abrams Jane wrote The Book of Hope.

In every way, she is a model for hope, and a purposeful well lived life.

In celebration of my friend Dr. Jane’s  birthday I’ve highlighted 14 characteristics I consider essential to being Jane Goodall.

I believe each of us can emulate some (or all) of these attributes to help us live our uniquely best purposeful life.

Dr. Jane has been my role model since I was about six years old.

Find your passion and do not waiver from it. Since she was born (I am exaggerating but you get the gist) Jane Goodall knew she wanted to help animals. Imagine if you’ve spent 20, 40, 80 years focused on one thing. You would be an expert at it. And you would achieve a lot. Most of us get taken off our path because of impatience or because of family or cultural pressures.  Find your passion and stick with it.

Be Yourself. There is no doubt in anyone’s mind what Jane Goodall stands for. She follows her own calling and passion. That makes her both unique and highly effective. So be yourself. Everyone else is taken.Be disciplined. Jane has a mission-like attitude. Indeed she is on a mission, and you feel it from all of her actions. She gets the job done no matter how tired, or overworked she is. And she doesn’t complain.Surround yourself with influential friends. And do things for them. Jane sometimes lends her name for events her friends are doing.  She did a foreword for one of my books.  She is generous with her time and heart. And people want to be around her and give back to her as well.  Motivational teachers all tell us the same thing, “you are only as successful as the people you surround yourself with.” So surround yourself with people you want to emulate.Be determined. Did you know that Jane describes herself as a frail child, prone to sickness. A Doctor once told her she would never be able to follow her dream to go to Africa because she did not have the physical aptitude for it. She had to overcome her shyness in order to be a speaker?  She had to overcome many obstacles to be able to do field work in Gombe Stream, including being told she would not be allowed in the Park without a chaperone (that’s when her mother Vanne came to her rescue). Determination will get you far along your path in life.Adopt a minimalist mindset. Although I doubt Jane cares about the label of minimalist, she has always lived simply, even before a minimalist lifestyle was popular. Her staff told me she lives out of one small piece of luggage. And I took this photo of the bed she slept in for years in her home in Tanzania. A simple, no fuss lifestyle leaves alot of time and energy for other things besides maintaining a high end complicated lifestyle.Dr. Jane’s bed at her house in Tanzania.MORE ON BEING JANE GOODALLWalk your talk. Knowing who you are, and what you are most passionate about, makes you believable to others. Because meat consumption is a huge contributor to climate change, and because of the abuse and suffering animals endure in factory farms, Jane is a vegan except when her grueling travel schedule only has vegetarian options. Take a stand for what you believe in and make sure you make all your lifestyle choices reflect your values and beliefs.Don’t give up. In the preface of my book, Saving Wild, Inspiration From Fifty Leading Conservationists , I tell a story about the time I asked Jane, “How do you keep going despite all the overwhelming bad news in the world?” She fixed her green gold-speckled eyes on mine and said, “I never give up.” At 88 Jane is probably doing more than ever to share her cause. The words, never give up, are simple. But they can be very difficult to put into action.Keep a sense of humor. Even though Dr. Jane works in a field that is challenging, and at times overwhelming and depressing, she seems to remain in good spirits.

 

Remain Hopeful. Despite the fact that conservation is one of the most difficult fields to work in, she refuses to give up hope. Having an indomitable spirit is a quality she acknowledges as important.  In fact, one of the many things Jane is known for is her focus on Hope. She has numerous books on Reasons for Hope including her most recent, The Book of Hope. “Hope is infectious,” she says. “Without hope, there is no hope.”Give people your full attention. If you have ever met and had a conversation with Jane you know she looks you straight in the eyes making you feel there is no one else in the room. Present, focused, and curious. All great qualities for greatness.Say Yes. Jane graciously gives her name to causes that are in line with the mission of her Jane Goodall Institute. That selflessness has only served to expand her name and message across the world.Learn to speak well. Jane is one of the best public speakers I have ever heard. Every one of her lectures has a signature beginning that initially grabs the audience’s attention. Watch her signature opening on my YouTube channel here.  She follows her crowd pleasing opening with stories that evoke emotion. I have been in the audience many times when she was speaking and I always notice people crying and laughing, both signs that the audience is taking the message to heart. Be humble. Dr. Jane Goodall is perhaps the best-known name in the world related to conservation and animals, yet she remains unpretentious, simple and gracious.

We need inspiration now more than ever. And Dr. Jane continues to provide it through her work, and who she is in the world. By simply being Jane Goodall.

Happy Birthday Jane Goodall.

For more on Jane Goodall check out my post, What you don’t know about Dr. Jane. 

The post Being Jane Goodall appeared first on Saving Wild.

On Being Jane Goodall

Jane Goodall’s birthday is April 3rd.  She will be 88.  By that time in life, most people have chosen to retire, slow down and live a more quiet life. But being Jane Goodall, she has done the opposite.

She has turned up the volume on her work to save the world’s wild ones and wild places. Most years she travels over 300 days giving lectures, attending meetings like CITIES, accepting honors, and visiting and inspiring hoards of school children who are members of her worldwide Roots & Shoots program. Not even the pandemic slowed down her busy schedule, albeit she did most of her meetings on line.

If there is news about wildlife, Dr. Jane is among the first to give a comment or make a widely quoted statement. Most recently she has been speaking out about the wildlife trade (as it relates to the spread of viruses), and with editor Doug Abrams Jane wrote The Book of Hope.

In every way, she is a model for hope, and a purposeful well lived life.

In celebration of my friend Dr. Jane’s  birthday I’ve highlighted 14 characteristics I consider essential to being Jane Goodall.

I believe each of us can emulate some (or all) of these attributes to help us live our uniquely best purposeful life.

Dr. Jane has been my role model since I was about six years old.

Find your passion and do not waiver from it. Since she was born (I am exaggerating but you get the gist) Jane Goodall knew she wanted to help animals. Imagine if you’ve spent 20, 40, 80 years focused on one thing. You would be an expert at it. And you would achieve a lot. Most of us get taken off our path because of impatience or because of family or cultural pressures.  Find your passion and stick with it.

Be Yourself. There is no doubt in anyone’s mind what Jane Goodall stands for. She follows her own calling and passion. That makes her both unique and highly effective. So be yourself. Everyone else is taken.Be disciplined. Jane has a mission-like attitude. Indeed she is on a mission, and you feel it from all of her actions. She gets the job done no matter how tired, or overworked she is. And she doesn’t complain.Surround yourself with influential friends. And do things for them. Jane sometimes lends her name for events her friends are doing.  She did a foreword for one of my books.  She is generous with her time and heart. And people want to be around her and give back to her as well.  Motivational teachers all tell us the same thing, “you are only as successful as the people you surround yourself with.” So surround yourself with people you want to emulate.Be determined. Did you know that Jane describes herself as a frail child, prone to sickness. A Doctor once told her she would never be able to follow her dream to go to Africa because she did not have the physical aptitude for it. She had to overcome her shyness in order to be a speaker?  She had to overcome many obstacles to be able to do field work in Gombe Stream, including being told she would not be allowed in the Park without a chaperone (that’s when her mother Vanne came to her rescue). Determination will get you far along your path in life.Adopt a minimalist mindset. Although I doubt Jane cares about the label of minimalist, she has always lived simply, even before a minimalist lifestyle was popular. Her staff told me she lives out of one small piece of luggage. And I took this photo of the bed she slept in for years in her home in Tanzania. A simple, no fuss lifestyle leaves alot of time and energy for other things besides maintaining a high end complicated lifestyle.Dr. Jane’s bed at her house in Tanzania.MORE ON BEING JANE GOODALLWalk your talk. Knowing who you are, and what you are most passionate about, makes you believable to others. Because meat consumption is a huge contributor to climate change, and because of the abuse and suffering animals endure in factory farms, Jane is a vegan except when her grueling travel schedule only has vegetarian options. Take a stand for what you believe in and make sure you make all your lifestyle choices reflect your values and beliefs.Don’t give up. In the preface of my book, Saving Wild, Inspiration From Fifty Leading Conservationists , I tell a story about the time I asked Jane, “How do you keep going despite all the overwhelming bad news in the world?” She fixed her green gold-speckled eyes on mine and said, “I never give up.” At 88 Jane is probably doing more than ever to share her cause. The words, never give up, are simple. But they can be very difficult to put into action.Keep a sense of humor. Even though Dr. Jane works in a field that is challenging, and at times overwhelming and depressing, she seems to remain in good spirits.

 

Remain Hopeful. Despite the fact that conservation is one of the most difficult fields to work in, she refuses to give up hope. Having an indomitable spirit is a quality she acknowledges as important.  In fact, one of the many things Jane is known for is her focus on Hope. She has numerous books on Reasons for Hope including her most recent, The Book of Hope. “Hope is infectious,” she says. “Without hope, there is no hope.”Give people your full attention. If you have ever met and had a conversation with Jane you know she looks you straight in the eyes making you feel there is no one else in the room. Present, focused, and curious. All great qualities for greatness.Say Yes. Jane graciously gives her name to causes that are in line with the mission of her Jane Goodall Institute. That selflessness has only served to expand her name and message across the world.Learn to speak well. Jane is one of the best public speakers I have ever heard. Every one of her lectures has a signature beginning that initially grabs the audience’s attention. Watch her signature opening on my YouTube channel here.  She follows her crowd pleasing opening with stories that evoke emotion. I have been in the audience many times when she was speaking and I always notice people crying and laughing, both signs that the audience is taking the message to heart. Be humble. Dr. Jane Goodall is perhaps the best-known name in the world related to conservation and animals, yet she remains unpretentious, simple and gracious.

We need inspiration now more than ever. And Dr. Jane continues to provide it through her work, and who she is in the world. By simply being Jane Goodall.

Happy Birthday Jane Goodall.

For more on Jane Goodall check out my post, What you don’t know about Dr. Jane. 

The post On Being Jane Goodall appeared first on Saving Wild.