Perceptions of a dead seal - The influence of our reactions
Today we went for a walk. Just a short one around The Kom, a rocky outcrop of land protruding into the Atlantic near Cape Point. It is similar in look and feel to parts of the Maine coastline in North America. At high tide the local fishermen are able to use their knowledge and skill to navigate small rowing boats carefully between the rocks to land their catch.
It was low tide and little pools of water lapped between seaweed and rocks creating a delightful opportunity for our little daughters to enjoy the variety of pelagic birds. Rosemary our eldest was keen to find out whether the pair of Egyptian Geese were guarding a nest, or simply enjoying the morning sun. As we crept over the rocks we came across the remains of a dead seal. At first I thought the children may be saddened or repulsed by the sight.
It is so easy to influence someone's view just through your reaction. Mountain guides quickly learn to ,remain unphased and not to react negatively to events. Your group always turns to you first when they come across something, or an event happens. They study your reaction. This signals how they in turn react. If you remain composed and calm, others tend to follow suite.
"OOH look Mummy, what that?"
"Oh yes... it's a dead seal... how...how interesting."
"Where's it's head?"
"Um, not sure, I think it may have decomposed already.... but look those are its claws poking out from under that bit of skin."
Rosemary bent down right next to it.
"Look at it's fur coat - Can I stroke its coat Mummy?"
Rosemary's hand was already just touching the hardened fur and skin. Instinctively I wanted to shout, "No, yuk! It could be dirty, smelley, and look at those bones poking through."
I took a big breathe. "Let's see what it feels like. It looks soft but now the fur has hardened, and look how thick the skin is beneath it."
"Can I collect some bones to go with the mole skull I have in our garden?"
Big breathe, "What a good idea. How about this one?" I quickly reached for a scapular bone that lay nearby and was free from skin, fur or anything else.
Rosemary beamed.
"Here's another one!" Her little hand reached down and picked up a single vertebrae.
"Mummy, I want to collect some shells now. Can you keep my bones in your handbag."
"No. I'm afraid not!"
It was low tide and little pools of water lapped between seaweed and rocks creating a delightful opportunity for our little daughters to enjoy the variety of pelagic birds. Rosemary our eldest was keen to find out whether the pair of Egyptian Geese were guarding a nest, or simply enjoying the morning sun. As we crept over the rocks we came across the remains of a dead seal. At first I thought the children may be saddened or repulsed by the sight.
It is so easy to influence someone's view just through your reaction. Mountain guides quickly learn to ,remain unphased and not to react negatively to events. Your group always turns to you first when they come across something, or an event happens. They study your reaction. This signals how they in turn react. If you remain composed and calm, others tend to follow suite.
"OOH look Mummy, what that?"
"Oh yes... it's a dead seal... how...how interesting."
"Where's it's head?"
"Um, not sure, I think it may have decomposed already.... but look those are its claws poking out from under that bit of skin."
Rosemary bent down right next to it.
"Look at it's fur coat - Can I stroke its coat Mummy?"
Rosemary's hand was already just touching the hardened fur and skin. Instinctively I wanted to shout, "No, yuk! It could be dirty, smelley, and look at those bones poking through."
I took a big breathe. "Let's see what it feels like. It looks soft but now the fur has hardened, and look how thick the skin is beneath it."
"Can I collect some bones to go with the mole skull I have in our garden?"
Big breathe, "What a good idea. How about this one?" I quickly reached for a scapular bone that lay nearby and was free from skin, fur or anything else.
Rosemary beamed.
"Here's another one!" Her little hand reached down and picked up a single vertebrae.
"Mummy, I want to collect some shells now. Can you keep my bones in your handbag."
"No. I'm afraid not!"
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