YOU CAN'T LEAD A STUBBORN MULE

 For those of you have not seen the latest version of The Wonder Dog, here is the new and expanded version.  We both have gained a little something since the pandemic began and it is not wisdom.

If you look closely, he is turning white around his snout and eyes.  Hero is officially an old man.  I laugh and call him my "Needy Old Man".  He has a really good life here in the hood.

We do struggle with those several walks during the day.  Remember I house trained him by going on walks.  In his old age, he sometimes gives out and I have to pick him up and carry him.  This has caused a great deal of laughter by the neighbors about who is walking whom.  A friend recently asked me why I don't just pull him along by his leash.  

Muleheaded comes to mind.  We have a healthy contingent of the ASPCA here in North Louisiana.  I do NOT want to get flogged over the head for trying to get my dog to cooperate.  He stubbornly refuses to take even a baby step.  I have tried to get behind him and scoot him forward--it is a no go.  I have tried to wait him out, for him to just lay down in the grass.  The only answer is pick him up and head home.  HE IS DONE!

I recently had a lively discussion (that would be an argument) with my middle child over political policy.  We got NOWHERE!  To begin with, I have had my life time quota of lectures already.  I shut down when you start giving me a lecture.  When I shut down, my ears close up--I am NOT listening.  He was not going to change my mind nor was I changing his.  I KNOW BETTER!

Is there ever a possibility of changing my mindset?  Of course there is!  If you present your side in a calm manner and leave it for me to consider, you might be surprised.  I am much more likely to at least give you some credence for your position when I do not feel I am being lectured.  Tone is EVERYTHING!  That is the huge downfall of printed communication.  It is really difficult to convey tone with the written word.  In person, if you raise you voice (try to out shout me), speak with rushed urgency (not allowing my response), or convey condescension (roll your eyes-raise you brow-scowl), more than likely I am not listening to what you are saying.  Your words are falling on deaf ears.

Morale of the story---arguing leads straight to NOWHERESVILLE.  In most cases, arguing changes no one's mind and falls upon a closed mind.  Persuasion is much more likely to come with a loving attitude and gentle tongue.  Use those gifts of the spirit ~especially love, peace, patience, kindness, long suffering, and self control.  When spoken in love and with a gentle kindness, I am all ears.

"Don't have anything to do with foolish and stupid arguments,

because you know they produce quarrels.

And the Lord's servant must not be quarrelsome

but must be kind to everyone, able to teach, not resentful."

2 Timothy 2:23-24