This week, I’m going to regale you with tales from the Brown Family Farm – specifically, goat stories presented in pictures. Buddy, our tan and white goat is a polled (naturally non-horned), neutered male, and Lily, is a tri-color, horned female. They are Myotonic goats, otherwise known as fainters. Buddy and Lily are sweet mischief-makers that provide us with an endless source of entertainment! So without further ado, let’s get to learning!

Lily uses Buddy’s back to get to the “good” stuff!

Lesson 1: Every now and then, we all need a little boost! Humans are not wired to be solitary creatures. We thrive in relationship with one another – sometimes we are the givers and sometimes, the receivers.

Buddy and Lily play “King of the Mountain.”

Lesson 2: Sometimes we will butt heads with one another. Conflict is inevitable, but it doesn’t have to negatively affect the relationship. Everyone has a unique perspective. Harmony prevails when we take time to understand our differences, focus on our similarities, and “agree to disagree” when necessary. Then, we can travel up the mountain together!

Lily and Buddy eating their hay from both sides of the fence.

Lesson 3: There are always at least two ways to approach any problem. When faced with conflict (see Lesson 2) or some other dilemma, try to brainstorm new possibilities. Think outside the box! While we’re on the subject of creative problem-solving, I highly recommend the book The Art of Possibility, by Rosamund Stone Zander and Benjamin Zander. The Zanders provide 12 highly effective tools for improving relationships and living a life of possibility.

Lily and Buddy go for the apple instead of the celery.

Lesson 4: Life’s short, eat the sweet stuff first! ‘Nuff said!

Lily and Buddy resting in the yard.

Lesson 5: Play hard, and rest hard! As Ferris Bueller quipped, “Life moves pretty fast. If you don’t stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it!” In other words, don’t feel guilty about taking some well-deserved ME-TIME. My friend Michelle Griffin of Focus on Fabulous magazine wisely pronounced: “Taking time for yourself doesn’t mean ‘me first,’ it means ‘me, too!’” And, the best part? When we take time to rest or play, inspiration has a way of finding us!

What? Need more fainting goat fun? Check out the video below!