Colleen Sibeijn, who took The EQ Foundation Course©, wrote, “I have become so much more in tune with my emotions and of those around me. I am more in control of them and my family and friends have noticed.”

Undoubtedly they’ll continue improving because they have fundamentals, and they’re getting rewards, which is motivating. Why would you stop doing something that makes it easier for you to solve problems? Once you’ve learned how to manage your emotions more effectively and gotten rewards, how could you forget?

Once learned, competencies are self-perpetuating and they are inter-related. Having learned creativity, you aren’t likely to forget it. You can continue to apply what you’ve learned to new situations, relationships and experiences. Give it a try!

Through his contradictory actions, Wishbone is trying to tell Ann that she's putting out contradictory messages to her world. Also, because Wishbone is unconsciously pushing away people he wants to be with, most likely Ann is unconsciously pushing away people she wants to be with. When I asked Ann about this pattern, she realized that she is inadvertently keeping people at a distance.

Wishbone' s offering a reflective gift to Ann. He's demonstrating to her that she's sending mixed messages to him and other people. He's showing Ann a way for her to be happier. Since Ann took Wishbone's reflection to heart and is keeping her emotions more congruent with her actions, her relationships are improving. And to her delight, when she's consistent with her messages to Wishbone, he doesn't pee on her!

Our pets offer us a gift. They show us when we're off course in reaching our life goals. We'll never get our dreams if we're out of sync with ourselves. So, it's up to us to make changes that will harmonize what we're feeling and doing. And we'll know when we're back on course because our blessed companions will stop their disharmonious behavior!

What's Your Pet's Gift for You?

Is your dog nipping at people for no apparent reason? Is your horse or parrot biting you? How about your cat clawing your arm or your furniture? Does your pet hide or run away from you? These signs might be your animal companion's way of showing you that you're angry—or afraid.

Sometimes we're not aware that we're angry. Many people don't like feeling out of control when angry feelings rumble through them. We don't like feeling angry when we'd rather be feeling loving. So, when we get angry, we unconsciously stuff our emotions. If your pet is biting or clawing you, someone else or your furniture, this reflection might indicate that you're unconsciously angry. Once you find your hidden anger and deal with it, your animal will stop biting or clawing.

At other times we might not realize we're scared. When we're afraid, we sometimes unconsciously use harsh, biting words to keep people at a distance. Or, we might unconsciously avoid people we're afraid of. These actions help us feel safe when we're scared. If your pet is snarling, biting, hiding or running away, this reflection might indicate that you're afraid and trying to protect yourself. Rather than "bite" other people or "hide" to make yourself feel secure, you might choose a more conscious and desirable way to protect yourself. And once you feel safe, your animal will stop snarling, biting, hiding or running away!

Don't Blame Messenger!

When your spunky pet gets your attention through "misbehaving," it's for your highest good! So it's to your benefit to see reflection. Your buddy is telling you that you've strayed from living in a way that will make you happy.

The next time your pet "misbehaves," rather than correcting your pet, why not experiment with changing yourself? Then notice what happens. Once you harmonize your own feelings and behavior, your "pet's" behavior problem will "magically" disappear!

If you'd like to find out more about reflective relationship between people and animals, here are some books that might help. Two books by Ted Andrews, "Animal-Speak" and "Animal-Wise," show how people enrich their lives by understanding specific traits of animals. "Animal Angels," by Charlene R. Johnson and Michael Rebel, contains true tales about how animals guide people's lives back to happiness and health.