So in these two most recent Pearls before Swine cartoons, we get a great glimpse of the character of the two main, um, characters, namely Rat and Pig.
Rat being the cynical, mean, vindictive one, i find that i identify with him way too often, and when i notice that i do, i usually have to do some kind of changing of my ways… although sometimes i wish i was this forward:
Whereas Pig on the other hand is innocent, genuine, loving and real and when i identify with him at all, it is usually something to embrace… although i often wish i was this much others-focused:
i know some people who are really great at cheering other people on and enjoying their success and i think at times i am that person, but not so much when it means i have missed out on success. in game-playing for example, i am uberly competitive and so something i have been working on and need to work on for a long time has been being able to cheer someone else’s success when they have beaten me in a game.
my friend Bruce Olsen, back in Oakland in Americaland, was that person – host us, feed us so well and then just delight in playing an evening of games with friends – for me it is too often about needing the win [apparently it proves something in my brain or something] – i learnt so much watching him, and there are countless others.
my friend Linda Martindale comes to mind in life in general in terms of being such a great cheerleader of other peoples’ projects and success and just themselves – she really takes great joy in people and i am so privileged to have her as a friend and hope to learn more of how she is who she is [and has been ever since i have known her]
So how about you? Are you more a Rat? Or a Pig? Or do you also find evidence of both in your life?
And who is someone you know [name them!] who embodies Pig in the second cartoon and is a cheerer on of other people with no or not much thought of themselves?
[For other fun and serious and life-divulging Pearls Before Swine strips, click here]
[…] Are you a Rat or a Pig? – And more importantly, take your opportunity to nominate someone you know is a Pig. […]
I am Pig. I see the bright side more often than not, and I generally say uplifting and encouraging things to other people. I’ve always been this way. Even when I was little my mom gave me the nickname of Pollyanna. I like being an encouraging optimist and wonder why more people don’t choose to be the same.
Great to hear. The world could certainly use more of you.
I’m mostly Pig with a hint of Rat.
Thanks for the kind words, Brett. I must admit, though, that I struggle with being Rat. That constant desire to have people view me as successful. In the midst of that I’ve also been challenged to think about how I define success. There have been a number of people that have modeled Piggi-ness for me. The first person that comes to mind would be Craig Weyrens, my college christian fellowship staffworker.