The Power of Opposites
Whenever we have excess or lack, it creates an imbalance.
While "balance" isn't necessarily a destination that's reached and where we can hang our hats and retire, it's something that can serve as a compass in problem solving.
When I see an extreme level of anything, I always think to counter it with its exact opposite to help level it out. It's a process I call "countering". Countering something with its exact opposite to create a space of balance and homeostasis.
For example, extreme or high levels of excitement and arousal needs its exact opposite to level out. Extreme levels of calm and stillness. Extreme or high levels of sluggishness with excitement for motivation. Countering fast with slow and slow with fast.
Oftentimes, we try to resolve something with more of the same. For example, an excitable dog who struggles with impulse control, anxiety, and has a ton of energy to burn is often met with more excitement inducing activities, busying with treats and treat-popping gadgets, games, and tons of exercise. What we don't realize is we're actually conditioning and nurturing more of what we're trying to resolve and satisfy. Conditioning a dog who's constantly "on". Very similar to human beings. We try to "fix", "heal", "resolve", etc. by *doing* more. It becomes a never ending cycle. Yes, a dog like this would need physical exercise (as all dogs do... it's a daily non-negotiable; the amount and intensity level of it is individual-dog-dependent); but this is not just a physical issue. The opposite of "doing" is stillness....it's simply "being"... a challenge most human beings struggle with, and is translating directly down to our dogs. So much so that dogs don't know how to be or what to do when they're not *doing* anything. They struggle with *calm* (and, for the record, "asleep" is not "calm"). *Calm* meaning being at peace and rest ... while still conscious
"Countering" and working with "opposites" helps us to work on the "in between" that rarely gets spoken to. There's been talk about the "on" switch and "off" switch... but not enough talk about the "in between".
In a "make sh*t happen" culture, this is a concept that's difficult to embody and practice for the great majority of people. Conditioning and teaching ourselves how to *be* outside of "busy work" and "doing".... and helping our dogs learn how to do the same.
"Place" work (doggie meditation) for dogs... meditation, visualization, and stillness for humans... countering something with its exact opposite to level it out.... a good, beneficial practice to get into <3
