Parable Of The Porcupine

Parable Of The Porcupine (Author Unknown) It was the coldest winter ever. Many animals died because of the cold. The porcupines, realising 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 warmth that came from the others. This way they were able to survive.  The Message People are not perfect, we are all created with our own little 'things' that aggravate those around us, but it's so important for all us to exercise patience and tolerance towards each other. We all hurt each other from time to time and without realising it we get each other worked up, it’s an inevitable part of being in a relationship and community. But in the end we’re often better off together than we might be apart. We are all here to serve our own unique and divine purpose. Learning to live in harmony together will allow us to reach that point in the most comfortable way. 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. So the next time the person next to you clicks his pen or chews his gum, remember just like you with your little 'faults' they are serving a greater cause, and patience will only make it easier. May you have an incredible week where patience and tolerance become your greatest tool in achieving successful relationships with those around you. Darren Zwiers The Quote: “In the practice of tolerance, one's enemy is the best teacher.” - Dalai Lama