Thank you so much for reviewing “Alexander Drake’s Extraordinary Pursuit” and allowing me to appear on your wonderful site! I’ve been posting so much about my book and the general business of writing lately; I thought I would share something a little different. This is similar to what I might write on my blog.
Everyone has porcupines. You encounter one, if not several just going about your day. It's that kid at school you always try to avoid because he or she loves to make jokes at your expense... Poke! I used to envision myself curling into a ball like an armadillo hoping the wind would help me roll away. I think that is why I look like I'm hunching in all of my pictures.
I absorbed all the pokes like a sponge, and even found truth in them; which is a huge no-no!Does my hair really weigh two tons? Can you imagine trying to haul two tons of hair around? Though, now that I think of it I did use a lot of conditioner at an attempt to control the frizz... But two tons? Puleazze.
What about the well meaning sibling offering... Um, should I refer to it as constructive advice? Double poke! More often than not, these pokes come from a place of love; even when they are hidden by "Hey, booger-face... Your zipper is down!" Gee, thanks. Those pokes (and there were many) made me stronger.
I believe bullies carry around just as many insecurities as the rest of us. It is so easy to pick on someone who appears weaker at an attempt to feel some sort of superiority. I resembled a hamster scurrying through the halls with my head down looking for my wheel. Hoping to go unnoticed made me an easy target. I've learned to hold my head high and smile... Yes, even those who aren’t so nice.
The jokes and teasing only have as much power as you give. Can you love yourself enough to see the pokes for what they really are? Just fluff... Meaningless, insignificant fluff; and fluff does not poke. You'll know you are on the right path when the porcupines don't affect you anymore, not even a little.
"Anger cannot be overcome by anger. If someone is angry with you, and you show anger in return, the result is a disaster. On the other hand, if you control your anger and show its opposite – love, compassion, tolerance and patience – not only will you remain peaceful, but the other person's anger will also diminish."
≈ Dalai Lama
The Task of Embracing Porcupines
I absorbed all the pokes like a sponge, and even found truth in them; which is a huge no-no!Does my hair really weigh two tons? Can you imagine trying to haul two tons of hair around? Though, now that I think of it I did use a lot of conditioner at an attempt to control the frizz... But two tons? Puleazze.
What about the well meaning sibling offering... Um, should I refer to it as constructive advice? Double poke! More often than not, these pokes come from a place of love; even when they are hidden by "Hey, booger-face... Your zipper is down!" Gee, thanks. Those pokes (and there were many) made me stronger.
I believe bullies carry around just as many insecurities as the rest of us. It is so easy to pick on someone who appears weaker at an attempt to feel some sort of superiority. I resembled a hamster scurrying through the halls with my head down looking for my wheel. Hoping to go unnoticed made me an easy target. I've learned to hold my head high and smile... Yes, even those who aren’t so nice.
The jokes and teasing only have as much power as you give. Can you love yourself enough to see the pokes for what they really are? Just fluff... Meaningless, insignificant fluff; and fluff does not poke. You'll know you are on the right path when the porcupines don't affect you anymore, not even a little.
"Anger cannot be overcome by anger. If someone is angry with you, and you show anger in return, the result is a disaster. On the other hand, if you control your anger and show its opposite – love, compassion, tolerance and patience – not only will you remain peaceful, but the other person's anger will also diminish."
≈ Dalai Lama
Thanks to Elizabeth for sharing her thoughts with us today. Look for my review of Alexander Drake's Extraordinary Pursuit tomorrow. You can also check out her blog here.
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