One evening, during a recent trip to Canada, Morgan and I found ourselves on a quiet outdoor patio, enjoying the last light of the day with a refreshing beverage. The other diners had finished their meals, and soon it was just the two of us, along with our friendly waiter, who had struck up a casual conversation about the local area.
As we talked, the waiter gently paused and gestured toward the edge of the patio, where a skunk had just made an appearance. With a calm demeanor, he reassured us, explaining that skunks are generally docile and that, as long as we remained calm, we should have no trouble. Both Morgan and I nodded in agreement, comfortable with staying composed, and resumed our conversation.
The skunk, curious yet peaceful, wandered over and walked right beneath my chair, coming inches away from my feet. As she passed, we couldn't help but admire this little creature simply going about her business, just trying to find food. Who were we to interfere? We continued chatting, aware of her presence but choosing not to react. After a few moments of scanning the area and finding nothing to satisfy her hunger, she quietly moved on.
Meanwhile, the other staff had retreated behind the safety of the restaurant’s windows, watching the scene unfold from a distance. When the skunk had finally left, one of them stepped outside and exclaimed, "I couldn’t have done that—you two have nerves of steel!" Morgan and I chuckled. While we knew the potential danger, we also knew that reacting to it would have only made things worse. If any of us—Morgan, myself, or the staff—had panicked, we’d likely be sitting there as a pair of stinky messes. And the smell would have stuck to anyone involved.
It reminded me of how people, much like the skunk, sometimes come into our lives simply trying to get their needs met—whether that’s through seeking attention, connection, or validation. Often, they may not do this in the healthiest way. Like the skunk, they might wander in, causing a stir. But if we remain calm, refusing to engage in their drama, they’ll eventually move on, searching for someone else to share their “stench” with.
The key, just like that evening with the skunk, is to respond with grace. Don’t react. Eventually, those bringing the stink will wander off in search of a different outlet, leaving you untouched and peaceful.