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 *

225,933 thoughts on “How to Pet a Porcupine

  1. Выезд врача позволяет начать помощь сразу, без ожидания свободной палаты. Специалист оценит состояние, проведёт осмотр, поставит капельницу, даст рекомендации по режиму и питанию, объяснит правила безопасности. Мы оставляем подробные инструкции родственникам, чтобы дома поддерживались питьевой режим, контроль давления и спокойная обстановка. Если домашних условий недостаточно (выраженная слабость, риски осложнений, сопутствующие заболевания), мы организуем транспортировку в стационар без задержек и бюрократии.
    Углубиться в тему – http://narkologicheskaya-klinika-balashiha0.ru/chastnaya-narkologicheskaya-klinika-v-balashihe/

  2. Центр медицинского лицензирования обеспечил профессиональное сопровождение, подготовку документов и проверку их корректности для получения лицензии, https://licenz.pro/

  3. Получение лицензии на медицинскую деятельность с Журавлев Консалтинг Групп оказалось комфортным и понятным процессом, все документы подготовлены профессионально и поданы корректно https://licenz.pro/

  4. В Кухни в Дом купили кухонный гарнитур с встраиваемой техникой. Всё сделали идеально: проект, материалы, монтаж. Теперь готовить стало удобно и приятно https://kuhni-v-dom.ru/

  5. My partner and I absolutely love your blog and find almost all of your post’s to be just what I’m looking for. Does one offer guest writers to write content in your case? I wouldn’t mind composing a post or elaborating on most of the subjects you write regarding here. Again, awesome web log!

  6. Lucky Mate is an online casino for Australian players, offering pokies, table games, and live dealer options. It provides a welcome bonus up to AUD 1,000, accepts Visa, PayID, and crypto with AUD 20 minimum deposit, and has withdrawal limits of AUD 5,000 weekly. Licensed, it promotes safe play https://qingyun.com.au/340295.html

  7. Je trouve phenomenal Circus, ca offre une experience electrisante. Il y a une profusion de titres captivants, avec des machines a sous immersives. L’assistance est efficace et conviviale, offrant des solutions claires et rapides. Les paiements sont securises et efficaces, bien que j’aimerais plus de bonus reguliers. En resume, Circus est un incontournable pour les joueurs pour les amateurs de casino en ligne ! Ajoutons que l’interface est fluide et attrayante, renforce l’envie de revenir.
    circus circus hotel casino reno nevada|