How to Pet a Porcupine

I discovered something new in a staff meeting a few weeks ago, and that is that you can pet a porcupine without getting hurt. I have never actually pet a porcupine, but I was told it is possible without a follow-up trip the hospital, if you do it correctly.

Porcupine

Photo courtesy of © flickr.com/photos/arthur_chapman/3986448936/

If you want to pet a porcupine without getting stuck by a bunch of quills you don’t run up and startle it.  You don’t quickly scoop it up into your hands and give it a big hug.  If you want to pet a porcupine you have to develop trust with it.  First, you hold out your hand to see if it wants to come near and sniff you. Only after it sniffs you can you pet it, but you have to do it a certain way starting at the head and petting down.  To pet a porcupine any other way could potentially hurt…a lot.

Some people are a lot like porcupines. They have quills, and they will stick you if you handle them the wrong way.    You know the kind of people I am talking about, they tend to be a bit grouchy, pessimistic, standoffish and avoid personal contact, have a tendency to complain and point out the bad in a situation, etc…  These people tend to be a lot like porcupines.  If you run up and startle them you’re going to get hurt.  If you try to pressure them into doing something you’re going to get hurt.  If you cross their path in a way they don’t like, start looking for the nearest hospital.

To pet one of these porcupines requires developing trust just like a real porcupine. No, holding out your hand to see if they sniff you is probably not the best way to go about it, but spending time getting to know them is.  Learning about their perspective, their past, their priorities can give you insight in how best to go about working and getting along with them.  Taking the time to building trust with can go a very long way, and save you a lot of pain in the end.  Just as I am sure petting a real porcupine is an amazing experience, I know that getting someone who is a bit prickly on your side can be just as fulfilling.

Also, for those who are pastors of churches and have opportunity to work with porcupines, the reality is that they are also sheep in need of a good shepherd. They can’t simply be dismissed. You can’t just steer clear of them like you might a real porcupine in the wild. You have to learn to pet them.  You have to learn to lead them. So you might as well do it the right way, and save yourself some pain.

Please note: I reserve the right to delete comments that are offensive or off-topic.

Leave a Reply to cialis generic pharmacy online Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

125,092 thoughts on “How to Pet a Porcupine

  1. Estou pirando com AFun Casino, parece uma rave de diversao sem fim. O catalogo de jogos do cassino e um carnaval de emocoes, incluindo jogos de mesa de cassino com um toque de folia. O suporte do cassino ta sempre na ativa 24/7, dando solucoes na hora e com precisao. As transacoes do cassino sao simples como um passo de danca, porem mais recompensas no cassino seriam um diferencial festivo. Na real, AFun Casino e um cassino online que e uma explosao de alegria para quem curte apostar com estilo festivo no cassino! De lambuja a plataforma do cassino brilha com um visual que e puro axe, o que torna cada sessao de cassino ainda mais animada.
    afun online casino|

  2. Экстренная помощь при алкоголизме от Narcology Clinic в Москве — выезд врачей в любую точку города, купирование острых состояний, поддержка пациента до стабильного состояния, профессионально и в конфиденциальности.
    Исследовать вопрос подробнее – наркологическая помощь на дому московская область

  3. Attractive section of content. I just stumbled upon your site and in accession capital to assert that I get in fact enjoyed account your blog posts. Anyway I’ll be subscribing to your feeds and even I achievement you access consistently fast.

  4. I’ll right away grab your rss feed as I can not in finding your e-mail subscription link or e-newsletter service.
    Do you have any? Please permit me recognise in order
    that I could subscribe. Thanks.

  5. Заботьтесь о здоровье сосудов ног с профессионалом! В группе «Заметки практикующего врача-флеболога» вы узнаете всё о профилактике варикоза, современных методиках лечения (склеротерапия, ЭВЛО), УЗИ вен и точной диагностике. Доверяйте опытному врачу — ваши ноги заслуживают лучшего: https://phlebology-blog.ru/

  6. Oh my goodness! Incredible article dude! Many thanks, However I am experiencing troubles with your RSS. I don’t understand why I cannot join it. Is there anybody else getting similar RSS problems? Anybody who knows the solution can you kindly respond? Thanks!!

  7. Нужна скорая помощь при алкогольном отравлении или запое? В Москве служба Narcology Clinic оказывает неотложную помощь на дому — детокс, капельницы, оказание первой наркологической помощи и сопровождение до стабилизации.
    Подробнее тут – наркологическая помощь на дому

  8. Экстренная помощь при алкоголизме от Narcology Clinic в Москве — выезд врачей в любую точку города, купирование острых состояний, поддержка пациента до стабильного состояния, профессионально и в конфиденциальности.
    Углубиться в тему – вызвать наркологическую помощь москве

  9. Wow that was unusual. I just wrote an extremely long comment
    but after I clicked submit my comment didn’t show up. Grrrr…
    well I’m not writing all that over again. Anyways, just wanted
    to say wonderful blog!

  10. Скорая наркологическая служба Narcology Clinic в Москве работает круглосуточно. Выезд к пациенту, медикаментозная стабилизация, детоксикация и психологическая поддержка до выхода из кризисного состояния.
    Ознакомиться с деталями – частная наркологическая помощь москве

  11. Aw, this was an exceptionally nice post. Finding the
    time and actual effort to generate a superb article… but what can I say… I put things off a whole lot and don’t
    manage to get anything done.

  12. Sou louco pela vibe de AFun Casino, tem uma vibe de jogo tao vibrante quanto um desfile de cores. As opcoes de jogo no cassino sao ricas e cheias de swing, oferecendo sessoes de cassino ao vivo que pulsam como batidas. O atendimento ao cliente do cassino e uma estrela da festa, acessivel por chat ou e-mail. As transacoes do cassino sao simples como um passo de danca, mesmo assim mais bonus regulares no cassino seria brabo. Resumindo, AFun Casino vale demais curtir esse cassino para os folioes do cassino! Alem disso o design do cassino e um espetaculo visual de purpurina, faz voce querer voltar ao cassino como num desfile sem fim.
    afun cassino login|

  13. В экстренной ситуации на фоне алкоголя — обращайтесь к скорой помощи Narcology Clinic в Москве. Качественный выезд нарколога, медицинская поддержка, нейтрализация последствий и помощь в восстановлении.
    Изучить вопрос глубже – анонимная наркологическая помощь

  14. Have you ever thought about including a little bit more than just your articles? I mean, what you say is valuable and all. But think about if you added some great graphics or video clips to give your posts more, “pop”! Your content is excellent but with pics and videos, this blog could certainly be one of the best in its niche. Good blog!