Are you like a cat or a dog?
Two of my mentors, Drs. William Glasser and Tom Gordon, both believed that the solid way to make decisions should be based on evidence but we need to test their ideas.
Neal de Grasse Tyson would agree. Typically, when you look for role models, you want someone who has your interests and came from the same background. Well, look how restricting that is. What people should do is take role models a la carte. If there’s someone whose character you appreciated, you respect that trait.
Let’s talk about the evidence of people’s behavior. Some people believe that the best way to live a life is to follow the rules and to do what they are told. Don’t rock the boat, they think. It is how we have all been trained in school. Just be like a dog, and get rewarded when we follow the “right” way or at least the way that the “boss” says is the right way.
Others see the world quite differently, believing that they need to do what makes sense for them, to follow their hearts and brains.
Some might say that behaving more like a cat rather than like a dog is healthier. Behave like a dog just waiting to be petted and given a treat. Or like a cat who flicks your tail, chooses what to believe based on evidence and strives to be independent.
A democracy requires independent thinkers to think about being more like an independent cat rather than a passive reward seeking dog. Try it as it would be good for
democracy!
For more on this topic, I recommend Glasser’s Choice Theory and Gordon’s Parent Effectiveness Training. Either book can help you change from a dog to a cat.
Honest!
Progressive Teachers Network 
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