Here at Be-Zing we believe that there are eight essential principles everyone should try and embody, all of which can be found within our animal mascots. This post focuses on our Wheel of Zing which features all eight qualities and animals. The Wheel of Zing comes from a common concept known as the Wellness Wheel, which we’ve specifically adapted for our Zingers! The ultimate goal of the Wheel is balance, and working out which sections you might need to work on, and also identifying your strengths! When all the aspects of your life work together in harmony, you’ll be able to achieve more than you ever thought was possible. We’ll take through each section of the Wheel, where you’ll learn a bit more about each principle and why our animals personify these attributes! Understanding each section is crucial for unlocking your true potential. Although each section is different, there are four different pairs which bear similarities
- Giving and Emotional Intelligence
- Life Skills and Rest & Play
- Social Skills and Creativity
- Health and Knowledge
Giving
Being able to give without expecting a reward in return is an admirable quality, and we think acts of generosity will always work their way back to you in ways you might not expect. The Giving section on our Wheel is occupied by the Charitable Donkey and Resourceful Camel. Here’s why we believe they embody the spirit of giving….
Donkeys have been domesticated for over 6,000 years, and were famously used to carry silk along the Silk Road from the Pacific Ocean to the Mediterranean (approximately 6,400km)! They are renown for being reliable, friendly work companions, and are popular amongst agricultural workers. Unlike horses, donkeys are calmer and more hardworking, and form deep emotional attachments to other animals and humans. Because of their sociable nature, donkeys need constant companionship, and can grow uneasy if left alone for even 30 minutes! Donkeys embody the Be-Zing value of Giving as they are always willing to work and lend a hand to those in need.
Camels, known as ‘Ships of the Desert’, are predominantly found in desert areas, most commonly in Northern Africa and the Middle East. Camels were first domesticated over 4000 years ago, and humans have since developed a dependency and affinity towards them. Many desert communities rely on camels for survival; using their milk and meat as dietary staples, their hair for clothing and shelters, and riding the camels themselves for transport across the sweltering desert heat. Camels are incredibly enduring animals, and can efficiently work in temperatures ranging from -20 – 49 degrees celsius! We’ve chosen camels in our Giving section because of the crucial services they provide for those living in deserts. Camels can carry masses of up of 40% of their body weights, and can walk up to 35km with your cargo. In return, camels don’t even expect water, as they can survive 7 full days without a single sip!
There are so many ways you can positively impact the world by giving what you can, whether it’s fundraising or volunteering, helping out with vulnerable people or keeping our beautiful environment free of litter. The feeling of giving your time and effort to those who need it most is unmatched! It is empowering to dedicate your energy to giving back, and often it can fill you with self-belief and the knowledge that you are contributing to making the world a better place!
Emotional Intelligence
The next part of the Wheel of Zing that we’ll be focusing on features the Brave Lion and the Resilient Elephant. Together, these two have qualities that are a massive part of what’s called Emotional Intelligence. Using emotional intelligence is crucial in being able to push yourself beyond what’s expected of you, and continuing to progress in every aspect of life. It is about knowing how to overcome each obstacle as it comes!
Many scientists would argue that the Lion is the smartest of the big cats. As well as being fearless predators and ready to tackle any challenge, lions are also incredibly emotionally intelligent. Their ability to live in large prides demonstrates their capabilities of navigating complex social situations, and like humans, lions find yawning incredibly contagious which is a great indication that they feel empathy. Lions cooperate with each other to hunt, and can identify the needs of the pride. Studies on African lions showed that lions remembered how to solve puzzles too! The emotional, headstrong nature of lions is sadly visible for lions in captivity, who often exhibit signs of sadness and anxiety.
Elephants are renown for being emotional animals, embodied by the saying ‘an elephant never forgets’. After losing members of their herds, many elephants ‘bury’ their bodies with leaves and grass, and revisit these sites for years to come. Likewise, elephants recognise each other even after many years of separation. When elephants are distressed, they emit a low-frequency sound which the rest of the herd hears, and they return by stroking their trunks as a sign of emotional support. Elephants always act in solidarity – when one is injured, the whole herd remains resilient together, sacrificing potential food and safety opportunities to ensure no elephant is left behind.
The core of emotional intelligence is being able to find ways to manage your own emotions in a way that helps you to face challenges head-on, communicate effectively and maybe most importantly, refuse to give up when something doesn’t work out the first time around. There are so many ways you can work on these skills day-to-day and you’ll often find yourself using them without even knowing it, whether it’s motivating yourself to work on a task you’ve been avoiding, or even just finding ways to relieve stress so you can bounce back effectively.
Life Skills
On our Wheel of Zing, the ‘Life Skills’ section covers a broad range of ideas. It’s about putting things in perspective and seeing your challenges and goals from all sides, as well as recognising your own strengths and communicating effectively with others to empower both them and yourself. We believe the animals which best suit these traits are the Leading Deer and Focused Giraffe…
The hierarchy within Deer herds is extremely complex, and determined what territory and resources they can access and their responsibilities. Leadership is taken extremely serious, and leading deers are attentive to all needs of their herds. Primarily, leading deers ensure their herds are safe, and are incredibly vigilant to incoming danger. If the leader detects a threat, they stamp their hoof as a sign of warning, which can be felt on the ground by far-away herd members! Deers are constantly looking out for their herds, and if it is necessary to relocate the group, the leader will leave the other deer a distinctive scent trail to ensure they will find their way back to the group. The leading deer always prioritises the needs of the herd and leads by example!
Giraffes are also incredible leaders! Aware of the threat of predators, giraffes are constantly on the look out for each other… Their long necks not only allow them to reach food that no other animal can access, but also provide them with the necessary stature for spotting predators! This makes giraffes fantastic problem-solvers as they can see all possibilities and potential issues from a different angle to all other animals! Likewise, giraffes only sleep for a few hours at a time, and often sleep standing up so they can make a quick escape if needed! Giraffe mothers are phenomenal leaders, and ensure their babies are standing and even able to run at just 30 minutes old! Embodying the mindset of a focused giraffe is fantastic when you’re trying to take on new, intimidating challenges as it teaches you to adopt a new perspective!
When you’ve a leader who you know appreciates and respects you and your abilities, it’s a million times easier to stay motivated and achieve as highly as you can!
Rest & Play
Although it might not seem necessary, Rest and Play is something vital in our lives! While you might be told that relaxing is holding you back from unlocking your potential, this couldn’t be further from the truth! It is essential to take some downtime to recharge your batteries and prevent you from experiencing burnout! Life can be super tiring, and taking time out of your usual routine to create lifelong memories, laugh with friends and introduce yourself to new, exciting experiences is the best part! Our favourite animals which represent this balance are the Humorous Hyena and Curious Monkey!
We’ve featured the Hyena on here as a result of its resilient nature and ability to ‘laugh’ in spite of its difficult surroundings! Hyenas live in arduous ecosystems amongst lions, elephants and giraffes, so they are top survivors when it comes to avoiding predators and remaining on the top end of the food chain! The ‘laugh’ we associate with hyenas is a vital form of communication, often used to convey excitement, frustration or fear! As it is essential for hyenas to laugh for survival, here at Be-Zing we also believe it is essential to laugh! A sense of humour makes life so much easier, and it is a great way of lifting up those around you and keeping them motivated! It is also important to be able to laugh at yourself sometimes – everyone makes mistakes and it’s easier to deal with these by laughing than dwelling too much!
Monkeys are innately curious animals, and are always eager to try new things and learn new skills! Their curiosity begins when they are babies, and from an early age monkeys learn how to find food, communicate, and form attachments to other monkeys. As a result of their curiosity, monkeys are extremely intelligent animals, and are quick to understand what makes them happy or sad. Instead of fearing the unknown, monkeys always give everything a shot. Pushing yourself to experience the unknown is an essential part of life, so it is important to try and embrace it as early as possible!
Social Skills
Although our ultimate goal with our Wheel is self-improvement, having the ability to work well with others is crucial! The way you treat others is an instrumental part of your growth, and helps you to surround yourself with like-minded individuals, who also respect each other. Once you realise the importance of socialisation, you’ll come to see that you can exceed your personal goals and expectations with the assistance of like-minded peers. This is why it is important to immerse yourself in social activities, such as sports teams, arts clubs or even in the workplace! Creating close-knit bonds and respect for others is best represented in the Loyal Dog and Team-Player Wolf!
Dogs are one of the most loyal animals which has rightfully earned them the name of ‘Man’s Best Friend’! Scientists believe that the domestication of wolves occurred around 10-40,000 years ago, as humans offered them warmth, shelter and food in return for protection. Over time these wolves evolved into dogs, but their loyalty remains unaltered! Dogs become loyal once they perceive you to be part of their pack, and will go to extreme lengths to protect those they love! Dogs and humans quite literally form a scientific attachment – oxytocin levels increase when they interact, and it is thought that the bond between them is similar to a caregiver-infant relationship! Much like a dog, it is important to surround yourself with friends who will stick by you through thick and thin, celebrate your victories, and allow you to make mistakes without judgement!
Much like their descendants, Wolves are also extremely loyal animals, particularly within their packs. Wolves are expert communicators, and their lives revolve around helping the pack thrive! Using howls, growls and body language, wolves can send messages to their entire packs. There is an important hierarchy within wolf packs, and younger wolves have an intense respect for their leaders, and recognise the importance in following their orders. Wolves embody our ethos of teamwork, and know how to play to their individual strengths to ensure the pack succeeds, and are quick to congratulate each other, or provide emotional support where necessary!
Creativity
Creativity is simultaneously one of the easiest and most difficult qualities to nurture in oneself! Even if there are constant opportunities to express yourself and follow your own creative vision, it can be tough to express exactly what creativity is, and even the brightest minds might suffer with a ‘creative block’! We believe that creativity is like a muscle, and the more you try to express it, or think outside the box, the easier it’ll get! It also helps to draw inspiration from exciting places and attempting new ways of overcoming challenges which you might think you’ve already mastered! The Creative Eagle and Independent Cat are fantastic ways of finding inspiration to overcome personal obstacles!
Due to their high metabolisms, Eagles are energy-filled birds, which makes them extremely curious and outgoing. Eagles obsess over exploring, and make the most of their freedom by soaring at insane heights! Because they love their freedom, eagles are incredibly difficult to tame, and need fun, exciting tasks to remain stimulated! Eagles are visionaries, and once they set their mind to something, they create new solutions to ensure they are successful! By embracing the outgoing nature of eagles, you mind find that you have far more opportunities to express your creativity than before! It is imperative to take inspiration from others around you, and attempt to be inspiring yourself!
Due to their independent nature, Cats are also great inspirations for creativity! Cats were revered in Ancient Egypt as a result of their self-sufficiency, which includes seeking our safe spaces and exploring uncharted territory! Cats are very outgoing, intelligent animals, and it is thought that cats approached humans with the offer of killing rodents in return for shelter and warmth! Cats see their owners as companions rather than guardians, and don’t suffer from the same separation anxiety as dogs. Cats are highly intelligent animals, and can often become bored when they lack enrichment opportunities. Instead of being shaken by your mistakes, adopt a ‘9 lives mindset’ and use them to your advantage to expand your creativity! Being proactive about overcoming challenges can offer you an advantage in life, and is a great way of igniting your creative spark!
Health
It is impossible to understate the importance of keeping fit and maintaining your physical and mental health! Whether it is enjoying regular exercise, ensuring you’re eating a well-balanced diet, or even taking a step back to be mindful, there are so many ways you can get into positive health habits using our wheel! Our Energetic Jaguar and Mindful Bunny perfectly embody this health-focused mindset!
The Jaguar represents the power of nature and is largely seen as the protector of the rainforest, its natural habitat. Jaguars help maintain the balance of the food chain, and control population growth to promote healthy ecosystems. They are extremely fast, and can travel at speeds of up to 70mp, climb up trees, and are incredible swimmers! They are extremely dedicated animals, and travel immense distances to find prey, hunting throughout the night! To maintain their top position in the rainforest, jaguars need constant prey and to be tested across all rainforest terrains!
Although seemingly the opposite of jaguars, Bunnies are incredibly smart, sentient animals. They love socialising, and need to be surrounded by other bunnies to stay happy, and become distressed and depressed if left alone for too long. Rabbits need lots of space, and physical and mental stimulation, becoming more susceptible to injuries if confined into small areas and they absolutely hate dirtiness! Because they easily become anxious, bunnies need extremely relaxing environments to feel happy. Bunnies have also been proven to help with human mental health, and studies have shown that interactions with rabbits release oxytocin, which reduces our levels of cortisol, the stress hormone. Like bunnies, it is very easy to become overwhelmed, and it is crucial to dedicate some time to bettering your mental health.
Knowledge
We believe that knowledge is a mindset or attitude that embraces learning opportunities when they arise. Knowledge is about using what you learn in a way that is helpful to both you, and those around you. The Wise Owl and Persevering Beaver perfectly encapsulate different forms of knowledge…
Owls have been symbols of wisdom for thousands of years, and in Ancient Greece, the Goddess of Wisdom, Athena, was often depicted with an owl on her shoulder. Owls have incredible sensory abilities, including a 270-degree field of sight paired with a vision that can be 100x better than that of humans! Likewise, owls have amazing hearing, and can often hear prey moving under leaves or snow. As prey is sometimes hard to find, owls have developed ways of sustaining themselves during testing periods – smaller owls stash meat in their nests to breed maggots for food, whilst burrowing owls take animal dung into their nests to cultivate dung beetles which they also eat! Don’t be mistaken though, owls are incredible hunters and have also evolved to fly in complete silence! Owls teach us to trust our intuition and stay vigilant! Like an owl develops alternative food options, we should also take opportunities to expand our learning!
The most underrated animal, the Beaver, is hard-working and extremely knowledgeable. Beavers are city-planners, architects, hydro engineers and contractors in one! Through the construction of dams, beavers provide habitats for hundreds of animals, and filter water which passes through! There are beaver dams which are over 100,000 years old, and the work of beavers has shaped the terrain of North America! Beavers are great in water and on land, and often hide their food in underwater stores. Beavers take immense pride in their work, and they never stop improving their natural environments. Each stage of dam-building is given the utmost attention and the skill it takes to build this strong structures is incredible! Beavers are perseverant and resilient, continuing to protect their environment even in the face of extinction!
We’ve now come to the end of our Wheel! We hope you’ll come away from this post not only with a deeper understanding of the discussed traits, but also feeling encouraged to discover your abilities, figure out your own strengths and weaknesses, and apply our wheel to your everyday life! Remember, our Wheel is a tool to help you feel better equipped to deal with everyday challenges and obstacles, and was intended to inspire you to feel more in tune with your mind, body and spirit! Let’s get to work!
