Hug a Cactus (A Relevant Repost)

Mar 25, 2020

Hug a Cactus (A Relevant Repost)

“When I’m prickly is when I need your love the most.”

My husband said this to me some time ago and it has never left me.

Google defines and associates “prickly” with words like these…

Irritable, cross, crabby, crotchety, curmudgeonly, on edge, grumpy, scratchy, touchy, testy, snappish, and cranky.

I think I identify most with “snappish” and “touchy” when I have prickly moments. How about you?

When people get prickly in my life, I immediately want to move away, give them space, or maybe give myself space from the “scratchy” energy I’ve rubbed up against. This happened with my dear, sweet man one day and he reminded me that while I may want to run, this is when he needs my love the most.

Our current circumstances will likely bring out the “prickliness” of someone you care about.

The next time you encounter a prickly spouse, boss, colleague, mother, child, or friend – what if instead of running away or fighting back you responded differently – a kind word, a lighthearted or funny text, a (virtual) hug or perhaps grace and space to be a little out of sorts without a reaction.

Truth – yes. Hard to put into practice – yes. Worthy mission – for sure.

My husband reminded me that day that we all have prickly moments and showed me that while running away felt best in the moment, leaning in and loving what prickles makes room for something far more extraordinary.

Where could you apply this in your world today?

Try it on. Experiment with it. It will bless your world and the people around you.

Photo by Fernando Lavin on Unsplash

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