Revelizations 5 - Give an Inch

Hi everyone and welcome to Revelizations! In today's episode we are going to examine another story from antiquity regarding human nature. Let's see if we've reached enlightenment from our ancestors, or if wisdom then is still just as true in our modern times. Thanks for listening!

Sources

A Dialogue of the Effectual Proverbs in the English Tongue Concerning Marriage by John Heywood 

A Camel's Nose An Arabian Fable 

 

 

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Not enjoying Revelizations and don't know what you do next? Let me offer a suggestion, grab your loudest portable speaker capable of pairing with a device that can play a podcast, turn on an episode of Revelizations, go to a densely populated area with great acoustics, crank up the volume, and laugh maniacally as the unsuspecting population looks around in confusion to the situation they are in. While you're at it feel free to leave a review on whatever platform you're forcing everyone to listen to the Revelizations podcast and follow/subscribe so you don't miss these types of opportunities in the future.

 

 

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Episode Transcript

(00:07):
This episode of Revelizations is brought to you by Truly Bully.
Do you love school?
Everything about it makes you feel alive.
Homework, tests, term papers, pop quizzes?
You're always the one with your hand up first when your teacher asks the class who knows

(00:29):
the answer.
Making intense eye contact, never blinking, because you want the teacher to call on you.
There's just one thing that you don't like, bullies.
Stealing your homework, locking you inside your locker.
The wedgies aren't so bad, but the swirlies, oh sweet heaven, the swirlies.

(00:50):
Never again have a homework assignment you completed not make it to the teacher when
you've enlisted the services of Truly Bully.
At Truly Bully, we bully the bullies.
They'll be so busy running and hiding from us, they'll no longer have time to seek you
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At Truly Bully, our day doesn't start and stop with the school bell either.

(01:12):
We have a devoted online team that will relentlessly intimidate your bully not just in person, but
on all social media platforms as well.
We'll never let them know a moment of peace again.
At Truly Bully, you'll be happy while we get Scrappy.

(01:47):
Hi everyone, welcome to Revelizations.
I'm your host, Brian James.
Before we get into today's episode, I'm here to confirm that our drought of interview episodes
is continuing.
I believe there are storms on the horizon, but the weather is fickle and we won't know
till the day arrives as there is no punk satanic fill type of creature to offer insight to

(02:09):
what the future will look like.
For several reasons, I'm hoping the storm stays course and arrives on our doorsteps.
Until then, I'm here today with another Revelizations episode.
There's been a few times in the past week where I've been talking with loved ones,
and although completely separate from one another, their circumstances were parallel.

(02:30):
As a result, I found myself sharing the same ancient wisdom with them.
A cautionary tale of sorts about the importance of boundaries and what can happen when you
make seemingly small compromises.
Today's Revelizations is based on ancient wisdom that dates back to before the Middle Ages,
but it was somewhere around 1546 to 1562 that we have the first written record of the

(02:54):
Lesson on Paper.
Its author is John Heywood.
He was a playwright, born in England in the 15th century.
Long since past, he left us with a book of collective wisdom that he curated entitled
A Dialogue of the Effectual Proverbs and the English Tongue Concerning Marriage.
In this book, he offers his witty observations through dialogues of the importance of communication,

(03:19):
mutual respect, and compromise when it comes to navigating a marriage.
Although he framed the proverbs around the subject of marriage, the wisdom he offered
has a much broader scope.
Let's see if history has anything left to teach us as we take a field trip to the Saharan
Desert and I can't imagine a more apropos character to lead out our story amid my own

(03:41):
interview drought than a camel.
Evening was approaching after another long, hot day of travel.
After setting up his tent for the night, Idir took his camel to a spring near their campsite.
As they got closer, the camel was overcome with excitement.

(04:04):
Idir tried to control him, but it broke free from his hands.
The camel ran down to the spring and jumped in the water.
It began splashing and drinking as much water as it could manage.
Idir was a patient and kind man.
He knew it had been a while since his camel had any water.
He wasn't going to scold him.
Instead, he let the camel drink and play.

(04:27):
Once it was content, it walked out of the spring back to his owner.
Even though the days were hot, the nights were frigid.
The camel would easily survive the night being completely soaked, but it would be uncomfortable.
Taking pity on his impulsive travel companion, Idir took off his cloak and other top coverings
and used them to dry off his friend.

(04:49):
As he was doing this, for the first time since he left his village, he let himself imagine
what it would be like when he reunites with his family.
After months of traveling, he was no further than three days out from his home.
He knew he could cut it down to two days if he pushed the pace, but decided against it.
Idir was grateful to his camel for getting him this far.

(05:11):
He didn't need to push him hard at the end.
After he finished drying the camel, he noticed the sky was darker than he thought it should be.
Did it really take me that long to dry off my friend?
He thought to himself.
As he was approaching his campsite, he looked to the setting sun and saw a giant sandstorm
on the horizon quickly approaching.
Idir grabbed his camel's harness and guided him behind the rear of the tent.

(05:35):
This way, as the storm came in, at least some of the sand would be blocked from his companion.
The camel was built for this terrain and this weather, but he still wanted to make sure
he was as comfortable as possible.
But still a little time before the storm would reach the campsite, he placed some food down
alongside his friend.
With his camel rehydrated, fed, dry, and safe in the spot he placed it, he went inside his tent.

(06:01):
Idir started a fire.
He laid out his wet clothes next to the flame and began cooking his dinner.
The storm was getting closer when he heard what sounded like tapping at the door.
He opened his tent to see his camel at the entrance.
Surprised, he got up and attempted to grab the camel's harness.
It took a step back and opened his mouth.
My lord, he said.

(06:23):
Astounded, Idir stared in disbelief.
Camel?
You can talk?
Yes, of course, but more importantly, there is a storm coming.
Do you suppose I could seek shelter in the tent with you?
Snapping out of his shock, Idir responded.
My friend, if it were possible, nothing would make me happier.

(06:44):
However, my tent is small, and even I barely fit.
The storm is going to kick up much sand.
Perhaps I can just put my nose in the tent?
Not wanting his friend to breathe harsh air, he agreed.
The camel was elated.
He quickly pushed his nose through the entrance of the tent.
Shortly after, the camel spoke up again.

(07:05):
My lord, the sandstorm is coming.
The sand is sure to get in my eyes.
Would it be possible for you to allow me to stick my head inside the tent?
This way, I might still be able to see where we're going tomorrow when we begin our travels
again.
Not wanting his friend's eyes to get irritated by the sand, Idir agreed.
The camel let out an excited and stuck his entire neck into the tent.

(07:29):
A little more cramped, Idir finished cooking his dinner.
As he did, the camel began speaking.
My lord, what a great cook you are.
I couldn't help but smell the delicious meal you've prepared.
I left my food outside.
Perhaps may I have a bite of yours?
Idir nodded.
With a quick chomp, the camel scarfed down Idir's entire dinner.

(07:52):
Before Idir could react, the camel began to speak again.
My lord, take pity upon me.
The storm is just about upon us, and the sand is going to irritate my legs and make them
chafe.
Perhaps, if you moved your sleeping bag, I would have room to place my front legs in
the tent so they can be protected from the storm.
Without waiting for a response, the camel grabbed Idir's sleeping bag with his mouth.

(08:17):
In quick succession, he threw the sleeping bag outside, thrust himself halfway into the
tent, and began another plea.
My lord, my body is still wet from when you let me jump into the spring.
Please, let me warm myself by the fire.
Not waiting for a response, the camel shimmied the rest of his body inside the tent.

(08:37):
Completely pushed out of the tent, Idir began to protest his situation.
Camel, this isn't fair.
Get out and let me-
I am sorry, master, the camel interrupted.
The storm is at our doorstep, and I can no longer hear what you are saying.
We have a long journey ahead of us tomorrow.
I was kind and left your sleeping bag for you outside.

(08:58):
Go to it.
I am tired, so let me rest.
I'm always stunned when a story from hundreds of years ago, like today's story, or even
thousands of years ago, like Three Men Make a Tiger, are as relevant today as they were
when they were originally written.

(09:21):
This story is a cautionary tale of human nature and the importance of boundaries.
Idir had compassion and made only tiny compromises.
It was that leniency in those boundaries that allowed the camel to claim more and more until
Idir was left outside in the cold during the storm.
While kindness and generosity are important, this story reminds us to be careful who we

(09:43):
are charitable towards.
If you aren't discerning, then there are people who will take advantage and keep asking
for more.
It sounds calloused, but you wouldn't go into a lake teeming full of starving leeches
and let them feed off you, would you?
They are hungry.
They need only a little of your blood.
Why wouldn't you help them?

(10:04):
Think about relationships in your own life where something similar has happened to you.
A co-worker is swamped.
They ask for help and the next thing you know, they've given you the majority of their work.
Your boss asks you to work overtime this upcoming week.
You agree and suddenly that's the new expectation moving forward.

(10:25):
An insecure partner asks to read your text once.
Now every time you get a new message, they insist on reading it first.
You volunteer with a local organization.
Soon they're asking you to do more and more at each upcoming event until you are their
go-to person for everything.
There are people in life that you will encounter who will take as much as you will give them

(10:47):
and then some.
Like the leech.
The leech will take as much from you as it can get.
You can't get mad or be surprised when it does because it's simply acting true to its
nature.
Instead, you can be careful to what environments you allow yourself to be in.
It's okay to set boundaries and not say yes to everything that everyone asks of you.

(11:10):
When you do say no to people, pay attention.
The ones who will object the loudest when you hold firm to a boundary are the same people
who benefit the most when you don't.
Be compassionate, but not at the expense of your well-being.
If you give an inch, they'll take a mile.
Thanks for listening everyone.
I'll see you next time.

(11:48):
Ever since middle school, I was haunted by Mitchell.
He was my bully.
He was so consistent and persistent in terrorizing me.
I thought the school must have assigned him to me.
Every day was a struggle.
Then, the summer before I started high school, I found TrulyBully.
I sent them a picture of Mitchell as well as a few of his common hangouts and they got

(12:11):
to work.
Look, I don't know what they did.
In fact, I'm not entirely sure if they didn't disappear him.
I looked for him at school, online, old yearbook photos, and nothing.
He is nowhere to be found.
I even tried walking up to his old lackeys to see if they heard from him, but they always

(12:31):
run away before I can say anything.
It almost makes me feel like I'm the bully, and if I would have known that becoming the
bully was this much fun, I would have done it a long time ago.
Thanks TrulyBully.
TrulyBully, you'll be happy while we get scrappy.