Raccoons – Adorable. Fuzzy. Genius.

They’re pro’s at adapting and are beginning to take over urban neighborhoods.

But how are they so tenacious?

In a recent show, I learned that they always look for new challenges. “If they think that there’s a reward, they continue to try to solve a problem – and to the raccoon there is always the possibility of a reward.”*

That struck me:

To the raccoon there is always the possibility of a reward.

What would life be like if I always had the mindset of possibility? If I always thought in terms of reward?

We, as humans, are motivated by two things: pain and pleasure. Studies have shown that most of our decisions are made to avoid pain rather than seek pleasure. It appears that we go to work and carry on our multitude of daily tasks simply because it’s easier to do them than it is to pay the consequences of not doing them.

We decide that it’s easier to go to work, rather than spend the days lounging in bed watching movies and eating chocolate chip pancakes, and having to eventually face the pain of life without money.

To these raccoons however, life is all about reward. They frame for possibilities, and that is why they are succeeding in taking over the streets. When faced with a new bungee tie wrapped over a trashcan lid, they don’t assess the situation like,

“Woah is me. The human has created a device, which insures I cannot reach the food inside. Let’s all go home.”

Instead they observe, test, and finagle until success. Their attitude isn’t overwhelmed, frustrated, or despairing. Instead they appear to be fascinated with the challenge like it’s a new puzzle to figure out. Every time they step up they believe they’re gonna win.

Raccoons have what one of my teachers calls Reckless Optimism. They don’t shutdown, which would make them no good for themselves or the babies they’re training. When something doesn’t go as they expected they create possibilities instead of using the situation as proof that they aren’t smart foragers.

They always move forward and build on their knowledge. If I could interview them they might say things such as,

“How does this make me better?”

“What are my possibilities?”

“What can I do?”

 Sure enough, the raccoon slipped the bungee chord off the lid, knocked the trashcan over, and proceeded to feast on garbage with its adorable little hands. It’s another good experience for the raccoon . . . and now he knows how to deal with a bungee chord.

What about you?

How can you frame for possibilities in your life, for reward, for pleasure?

How would life be different if you thought of your goals and dreams as big puzzles?

What if you were interested in solving them?

What if you always believed that there was a reward waiting for you?

 

If our thoughts create our reality, and they do, I’d rather live with the tenacious mind of a raccoon, than spending my days doing things to avoid pain.

With Love,
Z :)

*Quote paraphrased from Nature: Raccoon Nation. PBS. 2011. Source Netflix.