Category: webcomic

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See how easily you can spot an unfair rule

Cartoon of a cat executive and a dog employee
© 2013 Kevin Spear

Cartoon of a cat executive and a dog employee. The cat says, “We have a ‘No Panting Policy’ around here.”

I thought of this idea several years ago when my kids were watching the movie, Cats and Dogs. It’s about dog spies and an evil genius cat that is planning to take over the world.

I thought of what would the world look like if cats were in charge and dogs had to bow to the felines’ whims. Then I wondered how many rules and laws are skewed towards the majority culture and we don’t even realize it.

Is it easy to spot those rules? I’m not so sure it is. What seems perfectly normal to one culture could look like oppression to another. It’s mighty hard to abide by The Golden Rule when you don’t ask the other party how they want to be treated.

So how do you spot an unfair rule?

  • Seek the input of all parties involved
  • Listen without being defensive. Besides, is that rule really worth defending?
  • Ask whether an old rule still makes sense
  • Ask why the rule was instituted in the first place
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webcomic

Why it is so hard to face our fears cartoon

cartoon of a girl and a monster. The monster is eating someone

Cartoon of a girl and a monster. The monster is eating someone. The girl says, “You see, Roger? This is why I don’t like facing my fears!”

Fears, whether real or imagined can stop us in our tracks. We adults forget that children’s fears are just as real and debilitating to them as any adult-sized fears. They can consume anyone (and either our friends). What do you do?

  • Acknowledge you have the fear. It does no good to pretend a fear isn’t there when it is affecting us. Denying the fear monster doesn’t make it go away.
  • Realize courage doesn’t come from the absence of fear. Many a person has broken through a fear because they chose to be courageous in the midst of their fear.
  • Talk about it with a trusted friend, teacher or pastor. You may be surprised to learn you are not the only one facing that same fear. And acknowledging a phobia or anxiety with someone else breaks the power of the fear monster
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webcomic

Can an old dog, or a new kid change?

20131007-080209.jpg

Kids can be just as stubborn as older adults when it comes to change. It doesn’t matter how young or old you are, change can be difficult!

Too often, adults know a change is coming, but figure kids will be able to deal with it because they are young. The truth is, every individual involved in a change needs to be informed and listened to, whether it’s the youngest or oldest member of a group.

So if a change is coming and it affects children, remember to be considerate of them and keep them informed in an age appropriate way. They have more in common with old dogs when it comes to teaching new tricks.

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webcomic

How not to fish

Cartoon of two fishermen and a cow

Cartoon of two men fishing in a boat. A cow is in the water. One man says, “Aw! We had steaks last night. Throw him back!”

This seemed like the perfect cartoon for Illustration Friday. This week’s word is “underwater.”

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webcomic

Find Your Purpose

Cartoon of a girl and an arrow
©2013 Speartoons, Inc

Cartoon of an anthropomorphized arrow. It says, “I don’t know what’s wrong with me. I feel so pointless.”

We all want a point. We all want to do something meaningful. How do you do that when you have a feeling that tells you, “What’s the point?”

We all have a point. But we won’t find it by looking to please ourselves. There are over seven billion people on this planet with needs. And it can get overwhelming thinking about that mass of humanity with needs just like you.

But I found when I reach out to just one of those seven billion and lend a kind word or deed, I discover a purpose far greater than ourselves. We weren’t born to aimlessly take care of our own needs. We were made to learn how to serve the needs of each other.