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

Your email address will not be published.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

321,567 thoughts on “How to Pet a Porcupine

  1. Эта статья сочетает в себе как полезные, так и интересные сведения, которые обогатят ваше понимание насущных тем. Мы предлагаем практические советы и рекомендации, которые легко внедрить в повседневную жизнь. Узнайте, как улучшить свои навыки и обогатить свой опыт с помощью простых, но эффективных решений.
    Это стоит прочитать полностью – https://cavil.com/rez/paris-cahors-08-18-29-2012/2012-08-22-18-16-57

  2. Эта информационная заметка содержит увлекательные сведения, которые могут вас удивить! Мы собрали интересные факты, которые сделают вашу жизнь ярче и полнее. Узнайте нечто новое о привычных аспектах повседневности и откройте для себя удивительный мир информации.
    Изучить материалы по теме – https://markaparket.com/%D8%A7%D8%B3%D8%AA%D8%B9%D9%84%D8%A7%D9%85-%D9%82%DB%8C%D9%85%D8%AA-%D9%BE%D8%A7%D8%B1%DA%A9%D8%AA-%D8%A7%D8%AF%D9%88%D9%86%D8%B3-%D8%A2%D9%84%D9%85%D8%A7%D9%86

  3. Мы знали, что без SEO в интернете не обойтись, но не понимали, с чего начать. В середине проекта подключили Mihaylov Digital и доверили им весь процесс. Результаты приятно удивили: позиции сайта растут, звонки и заявки идут ежедневно. Отличный результат для нашей компании: https://mihaylov.digital/

  4. My coder is trying to convince me to move to .net from PHP.
    I have always disliked the idea because of the expenses.

    But he’s tryiong none the less. I’ve been using WordPress on various websites for about a year and am worried about switching to another platform.

    I have heard great things about blogengine.net.
    Is there a way I can import all my wordpress
    content into it? Any help would be really appreciated!

  5. It is perfect time to make some plans for the long run and it is time to be happy. I’ve learn this publish and if I may I want to recommend you few interesting issues or tips. Perhaps you can write subsequent articles regarding this article. I want to read even more things approximately it!

  6. I am not certain where you’re getting your info, but great topic. I must spend some time finding out more or working out more. Thanks for fantastic information I was searching for this info for my mission.

  7. You’re so awesome! I do not believe I’ve read through anything like this before. So wonderful to find someone with a few original thoughts on this issue. Really.. many thanks for starting this up. This website is one thing that’s needed on the internet, someone with some originality!

  8. I loved as much as you’ll receive carried out right here. The sketch is tasteful, your authored subject matter stylish. nonetheless, you command get bought an impatience over that you wish be delivering the following. unwell unquestionably come further formerly again as exactly the same nearly very often inside case you shield this hike.

  9. PolyFerm — экспертные композиции ферментных и микробиологических препаратов для стабильно высокой эффективности технологических процессов. Рациональные формулы помогают улучшать биотрансформацию субстратов, снижать издержки и повышать выход целевых продуктов в пищевой, фарм- и агропромышленности. Команда внедряет решения под задачу, поддерживает тесты и масштабирование, обеспечивая воспроизводимые результаты. Подробнее о возможностях, продуктах и пилотах — на https://polyferm.pro/ — оцените, где ваша цепочка теряет проценты и как их вернуть.

  10. В середине проекта подключили Mihaylov Digital к работе над нашим сайтом. Ребята сделали оптимизацию и начали продвижение. Сейчас сайт растёт и приносит прибыль. Отличное сотрудничество: https://mihaylov.digital/