The Porcupine's Dilemma

Have you ever heard of the Porcupine's Dilemma?  When porcupines get cold in the winter, they try to get closer to one another to share body heat and stay warm.  Unfortunately, when they get too close to each other, they hit each others' quills and in pain, recoil from one another until the cold compels them once again to try and get closer to each other.

Isn't this kind of how people interact with one another every day?  We crave intimacy and love with our significant other, our family and friends, only to encounter their 'quills', as they respond with one or more of the C's, perhaps 'Complaining, Criticizing, Competing, and Controlling' words and behaviors.  Unconsciously we react similarly, repelling one another until the cold of being alone and distant from those we love and care about forces us once again to try and come closer again, or alternatively look to other porcupines with quills that we hope are less sharp. 

Kim and I have found it interesting that as we age in our relationship and continue to brave each others' pricks of pain, our 'quills' have started to dull some, our skins have gotten thicker and we find it a bit easier these days to--'Be Positive, Playful, Kind, Compassionate, Flexible, Generous, and Accepting'--stay close to one another longer for that much needed love and warmth.  I wonder if porcupines do similarly as they grow old?  Wouldn't that be really cool?  How dull are your quills these days?