Fifteen Life Lessons from Sloths: Ancient Knowledge from the Most Relaxed Teachers in Nature

15. Living Authentically

Sloths teach us the last lesson on the need of living truly. Sloths completely embrace their nature and constraints while maximising their particular talents; they never try to be what they are not. For those who regularly battle society demands to conform or pretend, this sincerity is a potent model. Sloths just live according to their nature; they do not try to match quicker creatures or modify their natural patterns to please others.

This emphasises to us the need of real self-expression and acceptance of ourselves. This can entail in our life accepting our inherent abilities and constraints, being open about our needs and limitations, and living in line with our ideals instead of those of others. Studies in psychology repeatedly find that real living results in more pleasure and life satisfaction. Following the sloth's example of real living will help us to achieve more true fulfilment in our life and improve our self-acceptance.