Relationship Lessons from Gorillas

My daughter recently returned from a two week trip to Rwanda and Uganda. She attended a wedding of friends who celebrated in the tradition of their countries. While in Africa, she visited the natural habitats of the native gorillas on a guided tour through mountains and deep forests. The family of gorillas she visited with and observed on her once-in-a-lifetime trip had been featured in the movie, “Gorillas in the Mist.” (Amazing, right?) Her experience included an overnight stay in a tree house in the deep forest where the chimpanzees and other primates live. I was awe struck by her courage and bravery as she relayed story after story about her trip. Her tales made me think about the human relationship to these primates who are our ancestors. As I avidly read material about gorillas, I am captivated with the similarities. I learn of their intelligence, sensitivity, flight or fight response; family protectiveness and vegetarian eating habits. I recognize that their movements – some crude as compared to human behavior – are actually a means of communication. They are twice or three times our size, yet they are vegetarians…and there is no denying where you stand when in their company! Gorillas also offer some lessons and insight into human emotions. Think about those days when you would love to stand and scream, or jump up and down out of sheer frustration – but instead bottle up inside your true feelings. Although full expression of strong emotions such as being lonely, sad or angry is advised with extreme caution, I think it is important to find ways to express ourselves. When we freely express our emotions, we preserve our emotional and physical well-being. Knowing more about the behaviors of gorillas gives me insight into my own behavior, and shows me what is socially acceptable and what is not. For a minute, I am struck by the “full expression” of emotion at its best.