Last Fall we had a female black lab mix wander up to our farm and adopt us. We really weren’t looking for a new addition to the family but we, being the softies that we are, started feeding her. Not wanting to get attached I just called her Black Dog because I knew if I named her she would become part of the family. Needless to say, she still became part of the family and now she answers to the weird name of Black Dog.
As with most dogs new to our place she was having trouble learning to get along with the horses. So one day a couple of weeks ago I was not too surprised when I heard her barking out in the field. After about 10 minutes of continuous barking I thought I had better check and see what was going on. When I went out on the deck and looked over in the pasture I saw all 5 horses standing in a circle with their heads in the middle and tails to the outside and Black Dog barking furiously at them. I was a little baffled as this was not normal behavior for the horses. I called and called for the dog but she wouldn’t come. Finally she ran to the front pasture to relieve her bladder. While she was gone the horses started to meander off but when she returned they ran back to the same spot and got back in the circle, noses in and tails out and she started barking again. By this time I was reeeeeeally curious, so I put on my shoes and headed down to where they were gathered. When I got there I was absolutely amazed. Inside their circle was one of the black dog’s puppies. Apparently the horses were trying to protect the puppy from the viciously barking dog and the vicously barking dog was trying to get to her puppy to protect it from the horses.
Circling The Wagons
Looking back at this episode it reminds me of what we as humans sometimes do. We circle the wagons around someone that we think is in danger when the thing we are trying to protect them from is actually sent for their good. We see danger in growth or change and try to save our loved ones from something thing that might be a wonderful opportunity for them. I run across this frequently in my business, when a person is shown the potential of starting their own network marketing business. They are so excited about the opportunity and start telling their friends and family about it, only to be met with resistence and negativity.
Is network marketing for everyone? No. Can almost everyone make some extra money to supplement their income? Yes! If a person does due diligence about the company and the products it truly is a win/win proposition. A good network marketing company will have a very minimal sign up fee that can be earned back in sales commissions during the first month. A person who is willing to be committed to personal growth, working hard, stepping outside their comfort zone, and being coachable can get a sizeable return on their investment.
The Network Marketing Industry of today is very different from the network marketing of the 70′s & 80′s. It is an industry that is regulated by the federal government to protect investors. It is the “Wave of the Future” and supported by many internationally respected financial advisors.
So next time a friend or family member takes a look at network marketing, instead of circling the wagons, make sure they have done their due diligence and join the train by supporting them in a venture that could change their life for the better.
