9 Valuable Life Lessons from Ducks: Let’s Dive In!

Who would ever think we can learn great life lessons from ducks? But we sure can!

In fact, we can learn wonderful life lessons from many kinds of animals — both wild and domestic animals. One of my favorites is lessons from bears — but that’s for another day! Today we are going to look at 9 life lessons we can learn from ducks.

And should you be wondering why or how I happened to decide to write about life lessons from ducks, you’d be surprised how often I run across this topic on the Internet! But I’ve also always found ducks to be very cool animals! Have you ever spent time watching a family of ducks? I have:)

Fun and Interesting Facts About Ducks

Let’s take just a minute to learn some fun and interesting facts about ducks before we discover what life lessons we can learn from them. The life of a duck is really rather remarkable.

1. Ducks have regional accents.
2. Ducklings younger than 10 days instinctively swim and walk as a group.
3. Ducks can live up to 20 years.
4. When there is more daylight, female ducks will lay more eggs.
5. Ducklings are lovable siblings and communicate with each other before hatching.
6. Lady ducks choose their daddy ducks by how well the daddy can dance.
7. Ducks produce more eggs than chickens.
8. Ducks can fly thousands of miles.

I hope you learned something new about ducks from this list. There are more cool facts in the rest of the article. Now let’s get to the life lessons!

Valuable Life Lessons from Ducks

We’ve all heard the saying, “If it looks like a duck, sounds like a duck, and walks like a duck, it must be a duck!” (Or, some variation of that saying:)

That’s a bonus lesson we should all keep in mind! Think SMART in situations where you feel uncertain about something because sometimes we ignore obvious signs that something is wrong and subsequently make a poor decision. Don’t let that happen to you! Trust your instincts. Remember, this important lesson from ducks.

Ducks are fascinating creatures that have much to teach us about life. From their social behavior to their resilience, there are many valuable lessons we can learn from these cool creatures.

Now let’s learn 9 more valuable life lessons from ducks:

1. Adaptability

Ducks are known for their adaptability, whether it be in terms of their habitat, diet or social structure. They can thrive in a wide range of environments, from the icy waters of the Arctic to the warm waters of the tropics. Similarly, in life, it is important to be adaptable and flexible in order to navigate the many changes and challenges that we face. Be like a duck — don’t get cold feet — forge ahead with confidence, flexibility, and adaptability in all situations and settings.

2. Teamwork

Ducks are social creatures that often work together in flocks to achieve their goals, whether it be foraging for food or flying in formation. They understand the importance of working together towards a common goal and are willing to help each other out. This is a valuable lesson for us to learn, as we too can achieve much more when we work together with others.

Ducks, like geese, fly in a V-formation with a duck in the lead. However, when the lead duck gets tired or needs to take a break, another duck will move into the lead spot and take over. That’s a rather interesting concept, isn’t it?

3. Resilience

Ducks are resilient creatures that are able to bounce back from adversity. Whether it be a predator attack or harsh weather conditions, ducks are able to adapt and recover quickly. This resilience is an important lesson for us to learn, as we too will face setbacks in life. By being resilient, we can overcome these challenges and come out stronger on the other side.

4. Enjoy the Moment

Ducks are known for their ability to enjoy the simple pleasures of life, whether it be swimming in a pond or basking in the sun. How often have you seen ducks calmly floating across a pond or even walking across the street as if they have no cares in the world? They certainly aren’t concerned about the cars that are waiting on each side! They remind us that we should take the time to appreciate the small joys in life and not always be focused on achieving bigger and better things.

5. Perseverance

Ducks are tenacious creatures that will keep going until they achieve their goal. Whether it be flying long distances or finding food in challenging conditions, ducks will not give up easily. This is an important lesson for us to learn, as we too should persevere in the face of challenges and not give up on our goals and dreams.

In fact, ducks will do whatever it takes to get somewhere — they are one of few animals that can fly, float, walk, run, and swim! They persevere in whichever way will get the job done.

6. Stay Calm but Work Hard

Ducks seem to glide smoothly and effortlessly across the lake, right? But have you ever considered how hard they have to work? Their little webbed feet are paddling furiously under the water so they appear to be gliding calmly across that lake. Just like in real life, we need to often be calm on the surface, but paddle like hell underneath. People who make things look easy are often working hard behind the scenes.

7. Family Matters

Ducks are family-oriented creatures that place a high value on their relationships with their mates and offspring. They remind us of the importance of family and the value of strong, supportive relationships in our lives. Momma ducks watch over their ducklings and protect them just like human mommas do with their babies. Have you ever gotten too close to a family of ducks and noticed all the commotion made by the mother duck? It sounds worse than it is, but you get the point, right? And I’m pretty sure you back off:) Family is important to ducks.

8. Be Observant

Did you know that ducks sleep with one eye open? That’s because they are always mindful of what’s happening around them. While we can’t usually sleep with one eye open, we certainly should understand the importance of paying attention to what’s going on around us and being fully mindful or present in our daily lives. Being observant and mindful is a safety issue as well as a healthy mindset.

9. Let it Go

You’ve probably heard the saying, “…like water off a duck’s back.” But did you know where that expression came from? Ducks actually have a gland that secretes an oily substance that makes the outer layers of their feathers waterproof. Therefore, water rolls right off a duck’s back.

Furthermore, think about when you’ve seen two ducks get into a scuffle with each other. When the scuffle is over, you see the two ducks shake their feathers and calmly float off in their own direction without a care in the world. They are able to let it go immediately — you can choose to do the same.

Final Thoughts: Life Lessons from Ducks

When people get in a jam, or something is bothering them, I always say, “Think like a duck!” Let it roll off your back like water rolls off the feathers of a duck. Eckhart Tolle, the author of A New Earth: Awakening to Your Life’s Purpose, wrote about ducks in his book and it has left quite an impression on me years later. Think like a duck and you’ll live a smarter, happier life!

In conclusion, ducks are fascinating creatures that have much to teach us about life. From their adaptability and teamwork to their resilience and perseverance, there are many valuable lessons that we can learn from these waterfowl. By incorporating these lessons into our own lives, we can live more peaceful, fulfilling, and happy lives.

Keep on swimming, my friends… or flying, floating, walking, or running… whatever keeps you happy and wise.

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Love to ALL! ~ Susan

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