I've Spent My Whole Morning Reading About the Penguin Scandal and Here's Why

The Scandal of the Homewrecking Penguin, courtesy of National Geographic, has caused a hubub on the interwebs that I didn't take notice of until this morning. It is quite an interesting video. If you haven't seen it, check it out here before you keep reading.

This blog post is about cheating so don't read it if you don't want to know my honest opinion about it or if you are a cheater who is going to try and defend themselves to me. Stop. Just stop. Well, wait, I mean read it anyway cause I would love more traffic to my blog but don't read it to engage in an argument. I actually have a list of 'other things to do besides cheating' towards the end of this post, so maybe you should read it actually :P Also, *disclaimer* there are like 5% of couples who reconcile after a cheating scandal and who go on to have a successful marriage, much like a You Tube video game playing millionaire, you are an exception, not the norm.

So, my initial reaction was that yes, this video is sad. There is blood. Mr. Penguin just lost his wife and kids and it was all recorded and then posted online, so typical of the drama in today's society really. And as if that wasn't entertaining bad enough, he trips on the twig. It was a humbling, Jerry Maguire leaving the office alone and pathetic, sort of way to end things.

But having lived through my own cheating scandal this video made me keenly aware of something. The headline for the video is 'Homewrecking Penguin.' While I think it's important to note that the Homewrecker is indeed a horrible penguin and has caused a lot of pain for the penguin family, let's not forget to put Mrs. Penguin on blast as well. She knows Mr. Penguin intimately and brought the Homewrecker into her home knowingly and willingly leaving Mr. Penguin blindsided.  I feel that because I've been on the Mr. Penguin side of the story before I should share with people what I consider to be common sense for people (and penguins) who aren't cheaters and don't understand what is happening here. Let me break some things down for you...

1. Mrs. Penguin clearly has self-esteem issues, as most cheaters do. She has issues with herself that Mr. Penguin will never be able to 'fix.' Mrs. Penguin actually did you a favor, Mr. Penguin, by taking herself and her cheating ways on to other prospects that she will leach from. Mr. Penguin is recorded on video at a very low moment! He will realize later that Mrs. Penguin is not worth the fight. The narrator is not doing Mr. Penguin any favors, just like the haters who will try to blame him for not keeping her happy. Hold your head high, Mr. Penguin. Some people are just jerks. 

2. There is a common misconception that cheaters need to be forgiven and your marriage or relationship needs to be preserved. I have watched couples do this over, and over, and over and spend 10 or more years with a cheater before they finally conceded "Hmm.... I guess I can't forgive you." Please, Mr. Penguin, if she comes sliding back on her belly, DO NOT TAKE HER BACK! Cheating runs in some people's blood, They love the triangulation, Don't do it, Mr. Penguin. Go find a sweet divorcee penguin that was also cheated on and shack up together and hold each other tight and be thankful you both got rid of cheaters. TRUST ME this works.

3. Cheaters want us all to think they cheated because their 'needs weren't being met.' This is bull. Mr. Penguin, this is 100% not your fault! You got married for better or worse. Spoiler alert: Life has a lot of "worse" parts in it. During those "worse" parts I would like to suggest there are fifty million things a potential cheater could do BESIDES CHEATING to make yourself feel better. Here are just a few:

• Develop a hobby
• Invest in your career
• Go on a walk
• Eat a good meal
• Do something nice for someone
• Exercise
• Watch TV
• NOT CHEAT
• Write a blog

Ok, so the part I found hilarious were all the memes and comments that this video generated. Cheating is not funny, but once you have had it happen and survived it, you realize you are stronger for it. Much like burnt popcorn, it is terrible, but it happens, and you just have to throw it away and start over.

Here are a few of my favorite funnies :)