How to Hug a Porcupine: Easy Ways to Love the Difficult People in Your Life (Little Book. Big Idea.)

by Debbie Joffe Ellis

Life is brief. Time is precious. Wasting it in defense and attack, or in anger and fear, is regretful. Choose instead to practice patience, empathy, compassion, kindness, understanding and unconditional acceptance. Work towards creating greater harmony within yourself and in your relationships, and you will contribute to creating a healthier, saner world.

Other people challenge us. Other people improve us. Other people make us better human beings.

Being responsible and loving towards a porcupine requires emotional maturity and the flexibility to think empathically.

Interruptions are power-plays. They’re ways of suggesting that what you have to say is more important than what someone else has to say. This can be particularly dangerous when it comes to dealing with a porcupine—not to mention inconsiderate. Let your porcupine speak. Be polite and hold your tongue until it is your turn to share.