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 JessieHyday Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published.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

5,907 thoughts on “How to Pet a Porcupine

  1. Hi would you mind stating which blog platform you’re using? I’m looking to start my own blog soon but I’m having a difficult time making a decision between BlogEngine/Wordpress/B2evolution and Drupal. The reason I ask is because your design seems different then most blogs and I’m looking for something completely unique. P.S My apologies for being off-topic but I had to ask!

  2. Simply desire to say your article is as amazing. The clearness in your post is just nice and i could assume you’re an expert on this subject. Well with your permission let me to grab your feed to keep up to date with forthcoming post. Thanks a million and please continue the rewarding work.

  3. кайт сафари в египте Кайт центр дети ветра: Здесь вы найдете все необходимое для кайтсерфинга: обучение, прокат оборудования, ремонт и хранение. Мы заботимся о вашем комфорте и безопасности, чтобы вы могли полностью насладиться процессом.

  4. Hey just wanted to give you a quick heads up and let you know a few of the images aren’t loading properly. I’m not sure why but I think its a linking issue. I’ve tried it in two different internet browsers and both show the same outcome.

  5. It’s the best time to make a few plans for the longer term and it is time to be happy. I have learn this put up and if I may I want to recommend you few interesting things or tips. Maybe you could write next articles referring to this article. I want to read more things approximately it!

  6. After checking out a few of the articles on your web site, I really like your way of writing a blog. I saved it to my bookmark site list and will be checking back in the near future. Take a look at my website too and let me know how you feel.

  7. First of all I would like to say awesome blog! I had a quick question that I’d like to ask if you don’t mind. I was curious to find out how you center yourself and clear your thoughts before writing. I have had a difficult time clearing my thoughts in getting my thoughts out. I do take pleasure in writing however it just seems like the first 10 to 15 minutes tend to be wasted simply just trying to figure out how to begin. Any ideas or tips? Kudos!

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

  9. Ищете незабываемый тур на Камчатку? Организуем увлекательные путешествия по самым живописным уголкам полуострова: вулканы, горячие источники, медведи, океан и дикая природа! Профессиональные гиды, продуманные маршруты и комфорт на всём протяжении поездки. Индивидуальные и групповые туры, трансфер и полное сопровождение: тур на вулканы камчатки

  10. Nice post. I learn something totally new and challenging on blogs I stumbleupon everyday. It will always be helpful to read content from other authors and practice a little something from other web sites.

  11. Just wish to say your article is as surprising. The clearness on your publish is just great and i can suppose you’re a professional in this subject. Well along with your permission let me to take hold of your feed to keep up to date with impending post. Thanks a million and please keep up the gratifying work.

  12. hello there and thank you for your info – I’ve certainly picked up anything new from right here. I did however expertise a few technical points using this website, since I experienced to reload the website a lot of times previous to I could get it to load properly. I had been wondering if your web host is OK? Not that I am complaining, but slow loading instances times will often affect your placement in google and can damage your high-quality score if advertising and marketing with Adwords. Well I’m adding this RSS to my email and can look out for much more of your respective intriguing content. Make sure you update this again very soon.

  13. Hi there! I understand this is sort of off-topic but I had to ask. Does managing a well-established blog like yours take a massive amount work? I’m brand new to operating a blog however I do write in my diary on a daily basis. I’d like to start a blog so I will be able to share my own experience and thoughts online. Please let me know if you have any kind of ideas or tips for brand new aspiring bloggers. Thankyou!