Daffney who is now 18 moths of age, would closely guard anything when she was younger, especially toys given to her for play. She would keep them in her mouth and would not let go even if we showed interest to play with her. No amount of chasing her or instructing her would make her change her mind.
Since we have been on a ‘training’ path with her, she is adorably different in her responses. This picture of her watching over her multicoloured ball was a constant sight then; now she would let us throw the ball to her and she would fetch it to be thrown farther for her to run after it.
I was wondering how this instinct has changed over the last six months! It all started with all of us including the visitors doing the same set of exercises to train her. She became ready to move away from her instincts to habits.
An instinct is a self driven desire or passion. Anna and I watch every day on our way to the hospital, scores of people waiting outside a bar to open at 8.30 am. It is an instinct for alcohol that drives them every day.
This instinct is subject to our choice and willingness to change! A senior doctor who was used to having several pegs of alcohol everyday for twenty-five years or so decided to stop his habit of smoking and drinking, when he was in the hospital for an illness, on the suggestion of friends and treating physicians. There was an intense struggle and a transition period of vulnerability! This was a movement from being instinct driven to a new habit formation!
All instincts can be overcome! We need to choose the habits we want to welcome in our lives. A medical student told me that ever since he stopped watching movies every day, he discovered his skills painting! What is a habit we want to embrace!
M.C.Mathew(text and photo)
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