Are you a skunk or a turtle?
I found out yesterday that I’m a turtle. Which I object to on a surface level because I don’t feel like I’m slow to get things done or slow in general. I feel as if I’m always on the go and going a mile a minute.
But hey, I might be impartial since we’re talking about me.
Anywho, it turns out that I’m a turtle in a completely different respect.
The series at church that we are in the middle of is all about how to have awesome marriages, friendships, families, etc. Let’s put it this way: it’s very relevant. If you’re interested, you can check it out further by clicking {HERE}.
I got my notes out so that I could study them this week during my daily quiet time and I wanted to show you that I really was writing about skunks and turtles in church. Really. I was.
So.
Awesome families encourage growth. And we learn all kinds of things from our families, whether good or bad. And one thing we learn from our families is What To Do With Our Feelings.
And that’s where you generally fall into one of two categories.
You could be a skunk (who stinks up the place) when you’re upset, mad, frustrated, hurt, etc. by whatever is happening in your life or that day or that week or what-have-you. In other words, you let your feelings out and everyone knows about it.
Or, you’re a turtle. Which means when you’re upset, mad, frustrated, hurt, etc, you retreat into a shell and hold all of your feelings in.
Immediately, Steve turned to me and said, “You’re a turtle.”
And I turned to him and said, “You’re a skunk.”
And then Pastor Rick said, “Almost always, SKUNKS MARRY TURTLES.”
So then we laughed and laughed because, in our case, it’s totally true. If Steve is mad or upset, he goes on and on and blows up and STINKS UP THE PLACE.
And if I’m mad or upset, I usually hold it all in and I won’t talk about it, and I isolate myself. Which just goes to show you that I don’t let myself get upset very easily because I prefer to be around people.
None of this is to say that my parents raised me to be a turtle. I have no clue if my dad’s famous saying of “Quit Your Crying Or I’ll Give You Something To Cry About” ever made me clam up.
Hmmmmmmm. 😉
I was raised in a very loving, Christian family and I could talk to my parents about anything. Most importantly, I could go to them and ask them to pray for me and with me if something was bothering me. I still do that. I call them right up and ask them to pray about this or that.
There’s only so much I feel like my parents could do to help me deal with my feelings before my own personality took over.
And my own personality has made me a turtle.
So now I ask you . . . because I’m curious and would love to know:
Really. I want to know.
Meanwhile, I’ll just retreat into my shell and wait awhile.
😉
A skunk. FO SHO. Not that I want to blow up and everyone to know but I am definitely a "misery loves company" type person who likes to overshare and know that people "feel my pain" because that makes me feel better…
I think I'm a skurtle. It depends on the situation.
-Maria
IAm a turtle…he's a skunk…been married 32 years, 4 kids, & 4 grandkids…I think they are right! Wendy 1stgradefireworks
Pretty sure i am a skunk, but working to be more balanced to be a skurtle!!! Love that you are doing your bible study on your new desk!!!!!
Both. If I'm mad about something or a situation someone else has done, "I can't believe my principal wants me to __" I'm a skunk, a loud skunk. If it's something personal and makes me mad with my family or friend, I'm a turtle. I don't want to talk about so I'll retreat to my shell.
I can be a skunk, but not to the world, only to the turtle (the hubby) and then to the world I am a turtle. Wondering what that makes me? He is definitely a turtle with me, but he can voice his opinion to the world. . so maybe that is how it should work? See how we compliment each other? I am sweet and he is . . .. oh that is only in my mind 😉
Hmmmm- as much as I don't like to admit- I know I'm not a turtle so I must be a skunk!! My husband is definitely a turtle. I loved your comment about your parents and crying- I could hear those same words in my head (in my mother's voice) as I read yours. haha. Thanks for a laugh. 🙂
I am definitely a turtle! And I married a skunk! So interesting!
Interesting question. My husband is definitely a turtle, so does that mean I have to be the skunk?!? I guess I can be a little stinker. 🙂 I prefer to think of myself as calm, cool, and collected at all times. I go with "skurtle".
I'm a turtle who married a skunk!! Haha
I am a turtle who married a skunk who is always wanting me to be a skunk. I was once he doesn't want me to be a skunk anymore.
I'm a big old turtle!!! I miss having my parents to talk to and ask to pray for me!!! They got me!!!
I'm a turtle and I married a skunk!
I'm a turtle with skunk like tendencies depending on what I'm made about! Definitely married a skunk. Thanks for sharing this it was a nice reflection!
Mad*
Turtle. Big turtle. GIANT turtle. Married to a skunk. Big skunk. GIANT skunk. Guess that proves your pastor's theory. 🙂
I'm most definitely a turtle, but I've been known to silently stink up the place with my attitude.
No doubt…Turtle! And so is hubby. Wonder what that means…Hmmm…
Crystal
Definitely a turtle. And I married a skunk. It works for us. I'm wondering…. Is either disposition a happy and healthy one? What animal should we be striving for? ?
Love this!! I am a complete skunk. My feelings explode especially with issues at school because I am a passionate educator. I put everything into my job. I wish I could be more turtle like.
I am a skunk and my hubby is a turtle. So funny!
I am totally a skunk….and I married the epitome of a turtle! Augh the frustration!
I am totally a turtle but will share with my sister and my mom-not the person who is hurting me. Maybe I am a skunk who is depewed?
Skunk. When I'm upset, I can't hide it! 🙂
I'm a turtle usually. I don't like for others to know I'm upset. If I'm very, very comfortable with someone I might let a little stink but otherwise, I hold it all in. Unless you're messing with daughter. In that case, I'm a mama bear and no turtle or skunk is safe! Lol
I am a skunk for sure and my husband is a turtle.
Haha! This cracked me up. I am a skunk… and not just at home! I can't help but share my opinion. My husband is Mr. Easy-going, and a total turtle. So funny! Thank you for sharing.
Mandy
Caffeine and Lesson Plans
I'm a skunk at home and a politically correct turtle at school. lol
I also married a turtle. Love the analogy though. The big guy and I went to a marriage seminar years ago that compared men and woman and how they handle conversations, disagreements, or life in general. He described the men like waffles, women like spaghetti. Men think in compartments. They stay in that box, deal with the issue THEN go to the next box. Women, on the other hand, are like spaghetti. All over the plate, going from one topic to another without a hitch. Yep! That would be me. SQUIRREL! However, now my husband can say "Ang…you're spaghetti right now! Stay in this box!" Good times…
I'm a turtle through and through!
My daughter said I am a Turunk!
🙂
Thanks,
Nancy
The Apple Basket Teacher
I am a turtle married to a skunk! But after he has finished ranting and raving and I have retreated further and further into my shell, he becomes a teddy bear. This skunk is the love of my life!
I am a skunk! I scream and yell and then it is over done! Except no one at school would know this about me, I am usually pretty quiet and only vent to my teaching bestie. Hubby is a total turtle and it drags on with the sulking and not speaking for days sometimes…lol. But it seems to all work out ok.
~Laura
Luv My Kinders