Kangaroos Do Not Like Pretension

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Published by Rachelle Disbennett-Lee
Thursday, July 18, 2002
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While in Australia, I had the goal of seeing a kangaroo. I have seen plenty of pictures, but have never seen one up close. Luckily, during my travels, I happened across a wild life sanctuary. My friend and I arrived late with only about fifteen minutes of light left in the day. We were delighted to find the sanctuary was still open and the keeper told us he was committed to staying open until dark.

I was very excited over our good fortune of finding this place and asked the keeper if they had kangaroos. He assured me they did. I told him I was very excited about seeing a kangaroo because I had been in Australia two weeks and had not seen one yet.

He then asked, "Do you want me to tell you why you haven't seen a kangaroo?"

Of course I was anxious to find out why I had not seen one. So I told him, "Yes."

"It's the tiara," he said. "Kangaroos don't like pretension."

I often forget I am even wearing the tiara, so it took me a minute to figure out what he was talking about. When I did, I simply smiled while my embarrassed friend paid our way into the sanctuary where finally we would see a kangaroo.

Luckily for me, the kangaroos were in a good mood and ignored the fact that a pretentious person was feeding them. They hardly seemed to notice the tiara as they munched on the goodies in my hand.

Coaching

People often make judgments about other people based simply on looks. If someone looks different then assumptions are made. It can be difficult to be different and not let the words and actions of others hold us back. I simply ignored the remarks of the keeper and went on to enjoy my visit with the animals.

It isn't always easy to ignore the harsh words and treatment of others and ignoring it isn't always the right response. There are times when we need to speak out and let others know that we will not tolerate their actions. The tiara has taught me that being different is a challenge and often one I have to stand up to.

The other interesting thing I noticed was that my friend was embarrassed over what was said to me. We should never be embarrassed over what other people say. We cannot control the words that come out of someone else's mouth. As I explained to my friend, I wasn't embarrassed or upset over what was said and she shouldn't be either. What we could do was learn from the experience and keep a check on our own prejudices and assumptions.

Where are your judgments holding you back?

Daily Success Formula

Judgment + Assumption = Lack of understanding

Quotes

"Do not speak harshly to any one; those who are spoken to will answer thee in the same way. Angry speech is painful: blows for blows will touch thee." Buddha, The Dharmapada

"He that respects himself is safe from others. He wears a coat of mail that none can pierce." Henry Wadsworth Longfellow