Sunday, January 29, 2006
Crossing The Line
I heard a very interesting story the other day from a fellow breeder. Years ago, he had a friend who had a lovely rabbit with a single white toenail. So he decided to paint the nail in order to avoid having the rabbit be disqualified. As you might expect, the judge could tell that the nail had been altered (perhaps the paint on the fur gave him away!) and not only was the rabbit disqualified, but the breeder's entire entry was removed.
The exhibitor was mortified, needless to say, and quite disappointed with himself. He went to talk to his friend, who years later related the conversation to me. Although the breeder did not tell me who the exhibitor is, he did convey to me the wonderful advice he gave him. And I want to share it with you. He told him that he had let his competitiveness get the best of him and that he had stepped over the line. All he need do was step back over.
Just step back over.
That great advice reminds me of the counsel John the Baptist gave over 2000 years ago. Repent. (Repent: To make a change for the better because of remorse.) I can still hear the pastor who taught my confirmation classes lo these many years ago explaining that repenting isn't just being sorry. It's turning around and going back in the other direction.
Apparently the breeder decided to do just that, and continued breeding and exhibiting. Since no one listening to the story could identify the main character, I am going to assume that this breeder has been able to overcome the lapse in judgment and recover by staying on the proper side of the line.
I know there are times that I have crossed the line. Whenever I become aware of doing that, I do try to apologize and consciously make an effort not to cross that line again. I've hurt people's feelings, I know. I've had lapses in judgment, I'm sure. No one is perfect and everyone makes mistakes. I hope people will allow me to go back to the other side of the line again. And I want to allow others who step back over, the same privilege.
I heard a disturbing report this weekend from one of the judges at the show. He said that a breeder became angered over the placement of her rabbits. The breeder then reached over the judging coops and tried to take a swing at an elderly judge. Talk about literally crossing the line!
I cannot imagine what it will take for that breeder to rehabilitate herself. Not only does she need to apologize and quickly go back to the other side of the line, she will have to stay there for a very long time to regain trust. I hope she will choose to do that.
And if she does make a good faith effort to do so, I hope that we will all let her. Remember the exhibitor in the first story? Few people today even remember the story of the painted nail. His identity is not even associated with the tale anymore. I promise you that if he had stayed across the line, every breeder in the area would know the story and the identity by heart. It is only by going back across the line - and staying there - that such a lapse can be forgiven and forgotten.
Have you crossed the line?
Just step back over.
Laurie Stroupe
The Nature Trail Rabbitry
Holland Lops Of Distinction
Precious Pet Rabbits
Pet Rabbit Care Information, Quality Pet Rabbit Breeders, and Rabbit Fun ¶ 8:41 AM
The exhibitor was mortified, needless to say, and quite disappointed with himself. He went to talk to his friend, who years later related the conversation to me. Although the breeder did not tell me who the exhibitor is, he did convey to me the wonderful advice he gave him. And I want to share it with you. He told him that he had let his competitiveness get the best of him and that he had stepped over the line. All he need do was step back over.
Just step back over.
That great advice reminds me of the counsel John the Baptist gave over 2000 years ago. Repent. (Repent: To make a change for the better because of remorse.) I can still hear the pastor who taught my confirmation classes lo these many years ago explaining that repenting isn't just being sorry. It's turning around and going back in the other direction.
Apparently the breeder decided to do just that, and continued breeding and exhibiting. Since no one listening to the story could identify the main character, I am going to assume that this breeder has been able to overcome the lapse in judgment and recover by staying on the proper side of the line.
I know there are times that I have crossed the line. Whenever I become aware of doing that, I do try to apologize and consciously make an effort not to cross that line again. I've hurt people's feelings, I know. I've had lapses in judgment, I'm sure. No one is perfect and everyone makes mistakes. I hope people will allow me to go back to the other side of the line again. And I want to allow others who step back over, the same privilege.
I heard a disturbing report this weekend from one of the judges at the show. He said that a breeder became angered over the placement of her rabbits. The breeder then reached over the judging coops and tried to take a swing at an elderly judge. Talk about literally crossing the line!
I cannot imagine what it will take for that breeder to rehabilitate herself. Not only does she need to apologize and quickly go back to the other side of the line, she will have to stay there for a very long time to regain trust. I hope she will choose to do that.
And if she does make a good faith effort to do so, I hope that we will all let her. Remember the exhibitor in the first story? Few people today even remember the story of the painted nail. His identity is not even associated with the tale anymore. I promise you that if he had stayed across the line, every breeder in the area would know the story and the identity by heart. It is only by going back across the line - and staying there - that such a lapse can be forgiven and forgotten.
Have you crossed the line?
Just step back over.
Laurie Stroupe
The Nature Trail Rabbitry
Holland Lops Of Distinction
Precious Pet Rabbits
Pet Rabbit Care Information, Quality Pet Rabbit Breeders, and Rabbit Fun ¶ 8:41 AM
