A fractal is a mathematical concept that displays self-similar behavior. It refers to detailed patterns repeating themselves over and over again. Fractals are not limited to geometric patterns, but can also describe events, our choices and the process of time. Take a head of broccoli for example. Each individual broccoli floret makes up the entire broccoli head, yet each floret looks exactly like the larger whole. In other words, the larger broccoli head can be reduced in size, each smaller piece being an exact replica of the whole. What does this have to do with creating wealth and wellness you may ask? The answer…everything!
We know that there are certain patterns that lead to the creation of wealth and wellness while other patterns lead to the formation of impoverishment and illness. The words impoverishment and illness begin with the letter “I” which illustrates a solo journey, while the words “Wealth and Wellness” begin with the letters “We,” referring to the concept of TEAM. We also know that there is no process on Earth that does not require time. The time has finally come where we can demonstrate with mathematical certainty, clear patterns leading to the creation of wealth and wellness when repeated over time. Likewise, we have also discovered obvious patterns which lead to the formation of impoverishment and illness when repeated over time. Let’s take a closer look at the differences between the solo journey toward impoverishment and illness compared with the team approach toward building wealth and wellness.
Everyone has heard of the oft quoted saying, “You can accomplish more with a team than you can on your own.” Nowhere is this more evident than in the guide dog community. A guide dog can be trained to navigate various obstacles, however because they are partially (red-green) color blind, they are not capable of interpreting street signs. The human half of the guide dog team, known as the handler, does the directing, based upon skills acquired through previous mobility training. The handler might be likened to an aircraft’s navigator or air traffic controller, who must know how to get from one place to another. The dog is the pilot who gets them there safely. We would never expect a pilot to fly solo without the assistance of a flight service specialist any more than we would expect a blind handler to navigate a busy intersection without the eyes and ears of their canine friend.
So what can we learn from guide dogs to ensure that you create wealth and wellness, while avoiding the pitfalls that lead to the creation of impoverishment and illness?
- Wealth and Wellness comes from GOOD judgment. GOOD judgment comes from experience and experience comes from BAD judgment. Rinse and repeat. Strive to fail faster so you can learn from your past mistakes. Guide dogs don’t fear failure. They fail FORWARD! Those who experience a life of impoverishment and illness tend to base their experience on BAD judgment. They fail BACKWARD!
- Learn to become “Intelligently Disobedient”. Intelligent Disobedience is when a guide dog receives a command to move forward from their handler and recognizes danger ahead. The guide dog willfully disobeys the order because it is in the best interest of the TEAM not to follow it. This is the foundational basis for the speed of trust and reliability. By becoming intelligently disobedient, we place the needs of our ethnocentric team before the egocentric needs of ourselves. Wealth and wellness will always flow to those who are so busy giving recognition to their team that they simply do not need it for themselves!
- The cost of a guide dog is approximately $42,000, which includes the cost of training the dog and providing instruction for the handler. While it’s good to have money and the things that money can buy, it’s also good every once in a while to check in and make sure you haven’t lost the things that money can’t buy. Wealth and wellness are the by-products of a life well lived. Just like a guide dog brings a tremendous amount of value to its handler, you will accumulate wealth and wellness based on the value you bring to the marketplace. If you want to earn more money, you must add more value. It’s that simple. If you want to experience more wellness, you must add more value to your mind’s marketplace. The choices and the actions that your mind makes today will determine your wellness destiny tomorrow. It happens no other way!
Life is simple, it’s just not easy! Just like fractals demonstrate particular patterns repeating over and over again, life will provide you with ample opportunity to consistently embody the attitudes, habits and values that attract wealth and wellness your way. The next time you see a guide dog, step aside or pull over, and pay particular attention to the incredible dynamic of well executed teamwork at its finest. If you absorb and apply what you witness, wealth and wellness will be yours!
Contributor: Dr. Gregg Baron
The statements made in this article have not been evaluated by Health Canada or the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. None of the information presented is intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent disease.
