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 *

71,381 thoughts on “How to Pet a Porcupine

  1. Hi would you mind letting me know which hosting company you’re using? I’ve loaded your blog in 3 different internet browsers and I must say this blog loads a lot faster then most. Can you recommend a good web hosting provider at a fair price? Thanks a lot, I appreciate it!

  2. I’m really loving the theme/design of your web site. Do you ever run into any internet browser compatibility problems? A number of my blog visitors have complained about my blog not operating correctly in Explorer but looks great in Safari. Do you have any tips to help fix this issue?

  3. нормально мени понравилось
    он излагает обзоры новейших продукции и оснащения для фотосъемки, советы специалистов о техниках и методиках фотосъемки, https://smi24.net/moscow/404783016/ а также портфолио художника.

  4. Этот текст призван помочь читателю расширить кругозор и получить практические знания. Мы используем простой язык, наглядные примеры и структурированное изложение, чтобы сделать обучение максимально эффективным и увлекательным.
    Все материалы собраны здесь – https://macdebtcollection.com/debt-recovery-solutions-b2b-recovery-solution

  5. What i do not realize is if truth be told how you are not actually much more well-preferred than you may be right now. You are very intelligent. You recognize thus considerably with regards to this topic, produced me in my opinion believe it from so many varied angles. Its like women and men are not fascinated unless it’s something to do with Lady gaga! Your personal stuffs outstanding. Always take care of it up!

  6. After I originally commented I seem to have clicked the -Notify me when new comments are added- checkbox and from now on each time a comment is
    added I get four emails with the exact same comment.
    Perhaps there is a way you can remove me from that service?
    Thanks!

  7. Hmm it appears like your website ate my first comment (it was super long) so I guess I’ll just sum it up what I had written and say, I’m thoroughly enjoying your blog. I too am an aspiring blog blogger but I’m still new to the whole thing. Do you have any helpful hints for novice blog writers? I’d definitely appreciate it.

  8. Do you mind if I quote a few of your articles as long as I
    provide credit and sources back to your website? My blog site is in the exact same area of interest as yours and my users would genuinely benefit from some of the
    information you present here. Please let me know
    if this alright with you. Cheers!

  9. Этот интересный отчет представляет собой сборник полезных фактов, касающихся актуальных тем. Мы проанализируем данные, чтобы вы могли сделать обоснованные выводы. Читайте, чтобы узнать больше о последних трендах и значимых событиях!
    Получить больше информации – https://quick-vyvod-iz-zapoya-1.ru/

  10. Hey, I think your site might be having browser compatibility issues. When I look at your website in Ie, it looks fine but when opening in Internet Explorer, it has some overlapping. I just wanted to give you a quick heads up! Other then that, terrific blog!

  11. Hi! This is kind of off topic but I need some help from an established blog. Is it difficult to set up your own blog? I’m not very techincal but I can figure things out pretty quick. I’m thinking about setting up my own but I’m not sure where to start. Do you have any tips or suggestions? Many thanks

  12. Excellent goods from you, man. I have understand your stuff previous to and you’re just too excellent. I actually like what you’ve acquired here, certainly like what you are stating and the way in which you say it. You make it entertaining and you still care for to keep it sensible. I can’t wait to read much more from you. This is really a wonderful site.

  13. Hello there, I do believe your blog may be having browser compatibility issues. Whenever I look at your blog in Safari, it looks fine however when opening in I.E., it’s got some overlapping issues. I just wanted to provide you with a quick heads up! Besides that, excellent blog!

  14. What’s Taking place i am new to this, I stumbled upon this I have discovered It positively helpful and it has aided me out loads. I hope to contribute & aid other customers like its aided me. Good job.