Riding the Tiger - Acceptance

From Riding the Tiger: Learning Strategies for Leaders in Turbulent Times, available May 2010, by ASTD Press

Acceptance is often confused with the notion of being “all right” or “OK” with what has happened. This is not the case. We will never like this reality or make it OK, but eventually we accept it (Kübler-Ross 2009). This final stage happens at different times for different people. Finding some sense of purpose and or meaning can assist here. No one will ever why Ramalinga Raju got on the tiger in the first place. Once on the tiger, why didn’t he climb off until it was too late?

In her outstanding children’s book, “Riding the Tiger,” Eve Bunting provides some meaning. She uses a tiger as a metaphor to teach about the powerful allure of gangs. Her main character, Danny, is invited by the tiger to take a ride. While riding the tiger, Danny, at first, feels great pride and acceptance. After riding the tiger for a while, he feels bad about his involvement and wants to climb off. “I brought my leg up so I could slip down the tiger’s side. ‘Don’t even think about it,’ the tiger said, and when he turned, I saw the yellow glitter of his eyes. I eased my leg back to where it had been before. He was walking faster now and the ground seemed further away.” (Bunting 2001) During the acceptance stage, we are more receptive to finding purpose and meaning in obvious and not so obvious places.

Riding the Tiger by Eve Bunting