"Life is lived forward, but understood backward. It is not until we are down the road and we stand on the mountain looking back through the valley that we can appreciate the terrain God has allowed us to scale.” Jill Savage

Thursday, February 03, 2011

Thursday Thoughts ....



The good, no great news is that the groundhog did not see his shadow - spring is coming soon!

Talking about friendship this week and porcupines - here is the Fable of a Porcupine from my friend Jerry ~

Fable of the porcupine:



It was the coldest winter ever. Many animals died because of the cold. The

porcupines, realizing the situation, decided to group together to keep warm.

This way they covered and protected themselves; but the quills of each one wounded

their closest companions. After awhile, they decided to distance themselves one

from the other and they began to die, alone and frozen.

So they had to make a choice: either accept the quills of their companions or

disappear from the Earth.

Wisely, they decided to go back to being together. They learned to live with

the little wounds caused by the close relationship with their companions in order

to receive the heat that came from the others. This way they were able to

survive.

Moral of the story:

The best relationship is not the one that brings together perfect
people, but when each individual learns to live with the imperfections of others
and can admire the other person's good qualities.




Thought for the day:

All creations need care and feeding. Water and fertilize your creations and dreams with positive, uplifting emotions, thoughts and love.<>em>- Christiane Northrup, M.D.

And a little humor:

No, not this close - lol - and no I didn't say it was easy - but if you want a smoother life - and who doesn't - I think you have to learn to grow a little bit thicker skin and take some prickling - don't you?

I learned this as I aged - it is hard when you are younger - we are more into power struggles - when we get older - at least it was this way for me - I realized the real power was in not needing power... calmness is the cradle of power.

No not everyone learns this in older age - and I personally think they are bitter people - and the youngins - they are all into power and it is my prayer they learn that power isn't all it is cracked up to be.

Chatty thinkin' - what do you think?

22 comments:

The Quintessential Magpie said...

I agree. I am stunned at the level of competitiveness that some of the reality shows generate. It's like win at all costs! No, part of being a good winner is being a gracious loser. It's just not all that and a bag of chips because when it all boils down to it, it's you and the Lord. He is the important part of the scenario. The most important part.

XO,

Sheila :-)

The Boston Lady said...

I love the porcupine fable! What a brilliant way of illustrating the complexity of friendship. I have a diverse group of friends and very few of them get along well (or at least want to try) with each other. I sometimes feel like Switzerland! Competition is good, but not when people play dirty or let "winning" or "power" go to their head. We learn more from our losses... Ann

Anonymous said...

O' yeah!...we need each other, so glad I have you!
~Jo
LazyonLoblolly

Dogmom Diva said...

Hi Sandie! what a great post and thought provoker! Whatever happened to losing graciously..

Whosyergurl said...

I don't like to fight or challenge. Some people would say that isn't true of me, but it is. I say "hey, look! You win!"
Stay warm! Hugs, Cheryl

Southhamsdarling said...

Brilliant, brilliant post!! I so loved the tale of the porcupines, and that oh so cute little photo of the baby ones. I agree with you about the getting older bit. Now when certain things happen, I just try not to stress, and just think "life's too short." I'm glad I'm where I am right now.

Knitty said...

What do I think? I think you are a genius! There will always be a few really important things to fight for, but too many people find their days filled with fights. Calm is wonderful.

Barb Hodges said...

Sandie, once again you have given us a gem. The porcupine analogy was so clear. Yes, I don't stress out like I once did. The key for me is not to ask my adult children why they do the things they do or why they did such and such. Their ways and my ways don't coincide at times. But the outcomes still seem to work. Thanks again and keep those gems coming.

Susan said...

Hi Sandie...Enjoyed your post, as always.

I agree with you that the older we get, the wiser we get. Competition? Scrap it. Making a good impression? Bleh.

Life is so much better when we learn to live with the imperfections and idiocyncracies of others, especially our mates. Hmmmmm, what about marrying a porcupine? No, that wouldn't work. ha ha Have a great day. Susan

^..^Corgidogmama said...

I hate confrontation, and seek a round about way to settle things. Love your inner calmness idea. We DO, get smarter, if we're lucky, as we age! ONE PERK!

Nezzy (Cow Patty Surprise) said...

Oh dear...I love my Husband dearly but not that much!!! Heeehehehe!!!

I loved the little story and it's life meanings. So true.

God bless ya sweetie and have a warm fuzzy kinda day!!!

Lisa @ Two Bears Farm said...

I don't watch tv, so I'm out of it.
Love the porkies. I used to have a pet hedgehog named Norman. He was fun. He really loved running on his wheel and having baths.

Marjorie (Molly) Smith said...

I agree with you, some don't learn with age to just except people as they are. There is good in everyone, you just have to look deeper in some folks than others, but it is there. There is bad in everyone, though sometimes it is so deep you can't see it. The folks who do not learn this and or refuse to see it are truly bitter unhappy people. I rather say ok you win, than to spend wasted time trying to prove who is right and who is wrong..I simply say, what difference will it make in 50 yrs any way.
I have a problem with folks who dislike someone simple because they disagree with their opinion on something. Didn't God give us the brain to think for ourselves. Usually if you look hard enough you will find you have alot in common with that person, so what if you don't agree on everything.

Ginny Hartzler said...

I love this post!!! I totally agree about power and calmness, and I love the porcupine story!!

Katie said...

I loved the porcupine clip and I especially loved the porcupine picture. (THEY'RE SO CUTE!!) The story is so true - true friends may hurt each other every now and again but the wound heals. So we need to forgive, forget, an love one another. :)

Katie <3

jp@A Green Ridge said...

I agree, Kiddo. I really really like the quote by Mark Twain. I guess that's 'cause I'm a dreamer and a hopeless romantic...:)JP

Angela said...

Hey Sandie!

Those baby porcupines are just too cute! Great story!

Hugs,
Angela

Mevely317 said...

"Calmness is the cradle ..."
What a profound statement; I love how you provoke me to pause and consider (and sometimes re-consider!).

Velvet Over Steel said...

GREAT post!! I laughed out loud and the last picture. Never seen that before! lol

Thanks for the warm smiles on a COLD winter night. Yea for the groundhog!!

Hugs,
Coreen xoxoxo

Unknown said...

Dear Sandie,
I would love to have a hedgehog, but my wife will not let me get one. I have thought about sneaking one around in my pocket, but this might lead to a rather sticky situation.
Signed,
What should I do?

Tanna said...

Aman, Sandie. Amen. Of course, I have to remind myself from time to time. LOL! Keep calm and carry on.

Sharon said...

I loved the fable of the porcupine - so true. And the picture of those baby porcupines??? TOO precious!

I'm getting better at getting prickled! I think it's true, that as we age, we mellow - and that's a good thing. I loved how you said - Calmness is the cradle of power. Very profound!

I think Chatty thinkin' is pretty good stuff!