What are Positive Critters?

When it comes right down to it humans are living creatures. We have very similar basic needs to pretty much every other living thing. Needs like food, water, shelter and safety. But there’s one thing that really sets us apart from everything else alive. We can think. 

When I say “think”, I’m not just referring to problem solving. There’s really solid evidence that many animals, including crows, rats, dolphins and whales and especially our nearest relatives, the great apes, all display varying levels of thought and quite complex problem solving abilities. 

Humans are different. We can think in the most beautiful, complex, abstract and yes, frustrating ways; ways that go far beyond any other creature on the planet. As a species it’s what’s made us so spectacularly successful, in evolutionary terms.

But what really sets us apart isn’t that we’re just better at solving problems; it’s that we’re conscious. We’re self aware and as well as understanding that we can think, we can even choose how we want to think and what we want to think about. 

You may not have noticed at first but if you re-read the last few paragraphs you’ll see that I’ve said that humans can think and that we can choose how we think and what to think about. That doesn’t mean we always do, of course. But we can. 

So, that raises a question. Assuming that you will think (and not simply go through your whole life on some sort of autopilot) what sort of thoughts will you choose to have?

I hope that you choose to use this amazing ability to improve your life and the lives of those around you. To think deeply and honestly about what really matters to you. And at the same time, to find space for fun and creativity and not to always take things too seriously.

If that sounds like something you’d enjoy then welcome to the tribe of Positive Critters.