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.

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244,583 thoughts on “How to Pet a Porcupine”

  9. You actually make it seem so easy with your presentation but I find this topic to be really something which I think I would never understand. It seems too complicated and very broad for me. I’m looking forward for your next post, I’ll try to get the hang of it!

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  15. Клиника «Детоксика» в Сочи предлагает эффективное лечение запоя по доступным ценам с использованием современных методов и индивидуального подхода. Наши основные преимущества:
    Подробнее тут – вывод из запоя вызов на дом сочи

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  19. I’m amazed, I must say. Rarely do I come across a blog that’s both educative and interesting, and let me tell you, you’ve hit the nail on the head. The issue is something that not enough people are speaking intelligently about. I am very happy that I found this during my search for something regarding this.

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  21. Мы понимаем уникальность каждого пациента и проводим тщательную диагностику, анализируя его медицинскую историю, психологическое состояние и социальные факторы. На основе полученных данных создаем персональные планы лечения, включающие медикаментозные средства, психотерапию и социальные программы.
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  31. An outstanding share! I’ve just forwarded this onto a co-worker who has been doing a little homework on this. And he actually ordered me breakfast due to the fact that I discovered it for him… lol. So allow me to reword this…. Thank YOU for the meal!! But yeah, thanks for spending time to talk about this topic here on your internet site.

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  38. Игнорирование этих симптомов опасно для жизни и здоровья. Своевременное обращение в клинику «Рестарт» позволит оперативно и безопасно облегчить симптомы ломки и избежать серьезных последствий.
    Подробнее – снятие ломки анонимно в краснодаре

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  41. Капельница от запоя в Краснодаре рекомендуется при первых признаках алкогольной интоксикации или тяжелого похмелья. Без своевременного медицинского вмешательства состояние человека может резко ухудшиться, привести к развитию осложнений и даже стать угрозой для жизни. Срочная помощь необходима в таких случаях:
    Получить дополнительную информацию – капельница от запоя вызов в краснодаре

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  43. Охотно принимаю. Вопрос интересен, я тоже приму участие в обсуждении. Вместе мы сможем прийти к правильному ответу.
    в те времена это максимально интересный вариант. Почему я не рекомендую пользоваться их сервисом? Экскурсионные автобусы проезжают по Манхэттену и Бруклину.

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  47. Далее начинается этап детоксикации — это основа безопасного и эффективного вывода из запоя. Используются капельницы с современными очищающими и поддерживающими препаратами, комплекс витаминов, препараты для поддержки печени, почек и сердечно-сосудистой системы. При необходимости назначаются средства для стабилизации психоэмоционального состояния, купирования судорог, нормализации сна и снижения тревожности.
    Получить дополнительную информацию – срочный вывод из запоя

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