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When friendships pause, this can introduce different dynamics in the relationship. Sometimes when a relationship pauses, it ends. (That’s a topic for another time.) Other times, the pause causes a suspension of sorts, but the essence of the bond remains untouched.
When a friendship pauses, you might assume the relationship is at the end of an era. However, the truth might be far more enchanting than you realize. Think of it as a magical journey into the world of the in-between. While the friendship may not progress in a conventional sense, its foundation remains unshaken. Unread messages, missed calls, and incomplete plans all still exist, awaiting the right moment.
I’ve experienced this. When we graduated high school, my best friend and I went our separate ways. We each did life differently, but the essence of our relationship sat patiently in suspension until the moment came for us to reconnect. And you know what? We picked up right where we left off. Sure, we each did some growing up during our pause period, but the essence of who we were as friends never changed. I love that about our relationship. The pause was okay; we still loved each other.
These pauses in relationships can teach us that the ebb and flow of life can affect the bonds we hold dear, but it doesn’t diminish their significance. These friendships whisper to us, “Even in the stillness, I’m here.” Sometimes, life’s responsibilities take precedence, forcing friends to venture down separate paths. Other times, distance or circumstances intervene, creating an invisible wall between two hearts. Yet, when you press the pause button, these friendships become an ethereal presence, a flicker of light in the dark corners of our memories.
Fear not! Friendships that pause have the potential to dance back into our lives. They are the unfinished symphonies, waiting for their grand finale. When the time is right, they reawaken with a burst of color, as if the universe conspires to bring them back together.
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Laughter, the universal language of joy, has an enchanting power to transcend barriers and touch the deepest recesses of our hearts. In a world brimming with responsibilities and challenges, discovering moments of genuine ‘funny’ can be a lifeline.
Life often presents us with a tapestry of experiences – some delightful, others demanding. Amidst it all, the ability to find humor can be a beacon, guiding us through our daily routines. When we stumble upon something funny, a spontaneous burst of laughter bubbles up from some place deep in ourselves. It can feel like a refreshing breeze, momentarily lifting the weight of our worries.
Close friendships are often nurtured through shared laughter. The camaraderie of relishing inside jokes or getting caught in contagious giggles can bond like nothing else. These precious moments become cherished memories that we share with our friends for life.
Yet, the true beauty of laughter lies in its incredible potential to ripple forward. Have you ever been in a crowded room when one person’s infectious laughter sets off a chain reaction? Laughter can be as infectious as a yawn, spreading from person to person until the entire room is caught up in its euphoria.
In times of sorrow or stress, humor might seem distant, but it’s during these moments that finding a glimmer of laughter becomes even more valuable. It’s not about ignoring challenges, but about granting ourselves a reprieve – allowing our hearts to breathe amidst the chaos. Have you ever heard someone burp in church? Ha!
So, how do we find this lovable laughter in life? It’s all about listening. Often, the most mundane situations harbor hidden hilarity. Embracing a lighthearted view can transform the ordinary into bursts of joy that no one can stop. Cultivating a childlike willingness to see the levity in situations enables us to see the whole world through mental smiles, unveiling the comedic moment ready to explode.
Embracing laughter is a choice I make to infuse my life with a touch of enchantment. It’s about seeking out the whimsical, sharing a chuckle with friends, and allowing ourselves to be swept up in the currents of joy. As we navigate the intricate tapestry of life, may we always find the threads of laughter to weave into its fabric.
Jerome Grey, contributing author
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Emotional maturity – what does that mean? Our world is full of both goodness and social unrest. My observations of current world issues lead me to believe there is value in conscious emotional awareness – emotional maturity.
Consider events such as politics, corporate well-being, crimes against others, grief, anger, school shootings, and so on. Conscious or unconscious emotional responses have everything to do with the maturity of our leaders, children, families, and individuals.
Emotional maturity means understanding how we experience and respond to feelings. For a simple example, imagine someone speaking harshly toward you. What is the first emotion you feel? Shock, anger, misunderstood, defensive, or something similar. When you feel the emotion, is it conscious or unconscious? For a unique example, remember someone who speaks lovingly to you. How is your immediate emotional feeling different from the first example? Caring, open, understanding, and warm. Again, when you feel the emotion, is it conscious or unconscious?
As humans, we are capable of responding or reacting to feelings consciously or unconsciously. Can you sense the difference between the two? Understanding how we are reacting and responding has everything to do with our emotional maturity.
When someone speaks harshly, it is perfectly normal to feel shocked, angry, and so on. However, when we identify the feeling, we are acknowledging it. Then, we have a conscious choice about our response. That is emotional maturity. On the other side of the coin, if we respond unconsciously, without consideration or thinking, we create a platform for unwanted results. This is emotional immaturity.
Increasing our emotional vocabulary and observing our responses gives us conscious life tools to navigate personal and global events. These tools affect how we respond and live. I intend this suite of blogs to both increase our emotional vocabulary and increase our understanding of how different emotions function for us. This conscious exercise is the root of growing our emotional maturity.
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In my experience, both emotional intelligence and emotional maturity are becoming increasingly crucial in our complex world. I find that positivity and social turmoil coexist. Society today has a deeper understanding of conscious emotional awareness, often referred to as emotional maturity and I think is proving to be invaluable for successful living.
In a world grappling with issues spanning from politics to corporate well-being, the impact of emotions on the decisions and behaviors of leaders, families, and individuals cannot be underestimated. Consider instances such as crimes against others, school shootings, and collective grief – all of which highlight the profound influence of emotional responses on our society’s fabric.
When taking a step back and viewing holistically, the core of emotional maturity lies in the comprehension of how we react with our emotions. Imagine encountering someone who speaks harshly to you; instinctively, emotions like shock, anger, or defensiveness arise. In contrast, think about a scenario where someone speaks with kindness and affection. The reactionary emotions, such as warmth and understanding, create a different emotional landscape.
We each possess the capacity to respond consciously to our feelings. This response reflects our emotional maturity. When faced with harsh words, it is natural to experience negative emotions. However, the pivotal step towards emotional maturity is acknowledging these feelings and consciously choosing our responses. On the flip side, reacting without thoughtful consideration leads to emotional immaturity, setting the stage for unfavorable outcomes.
Emotional Tools: Stayin’ in Touch Emotion Journals
One powerful tool for enhancing emotional maturity is expanding our emotional vocabulary and closely observing our reactions. Equipped with these tools, we can adeptly navigate both personal and global challenges. This heightened awareness not only shapes our responses but also influences our way of life.
By nurturing and maturing our emotional responses, we empower ourselves to lead more thoughtful, considerate, and fulfilling lives amidst the complex tapestry of our ever-changing world.
Jerome Grey, Contributing Author
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Life Gifts
- I send you fresh strawberries to enjoy in a mild, sunny meadow upon a lush spring mountain.
- I send you pregnant pauses to remember how much you are loved and cared for.
- I send you joy as I think about how delightful you are.
- I send you fresh, crisp apple bites of life to bite into everyday.
- I send you showers of confetti filled with sparkling, renewing energy to keep you fresh and succulent.
- I send you billowing bubbles of joy.
- I send you permission to be exactly how you are today.
- I send you a path of petals on which to tread as you navigate life.
- I send you tender, loving arms to hold you in care and love.
- I send you soothing healing.
- I send you love.
- I send you chortles, giggles and warm hugs.
- I send you a warm, snuggly kitty to comfort your soul and remind you about the power of love.
- I send you contagious child-like giggles and unstoppable smiles.
- I send you virtual blankets to keep you warm, and good thoughts that your electricity is soon restored.
- I send you life rafts for navigating the waters of life.
- I send you comfort, joy and sustenance through your retirement.
- I send you giggles and chortles to accent all the moments of your day.
- I send you honor and respect as you navigate this wave in your life.
- I send you showers of grace and peace.
- I send you different flavored lollipops to quench your craving.
- I send you energetic bursts of joy.
- I send you patience and understanding, and a powerful little elf to manage all your worries.
- I send you gentle care and comfort, and I hold your heart with love in mine.
- I send you wide open spaces big enough for all your dreams to materialize.
- I send you peaces.
- I send you light energy to charge your healthy cells and create health.
- I send you whimsical moments that make you giggle out loud, whether or not you’re around people.
- I send you giggles and chortles to accent all the moments of your day.
- I send you fruit-full surprises in your journey.
- I send you the lightest hint of lilac and a handful of petals.
- I send you bright flowers to see, smell, enjoy, and nurture.
- I send you lush green mountain meadows splattered with wildflowers for you to rest and rejuvenate your soul.
- I send you warm nourishing rays of light.
- I send you healing energy as you mend your heart and body.
- I send you over-flowing cups of love to restore your heart and soul.
- I send you quiet fields of lavender to enjoy soft, quiet moments.
- I send you good thoughts for successful surgery, for doctors and nurses to care for you with love and honor, and for healing comfort.
- I send you revolving hours of joy for writing about what you want to write about.
- I send you large bundles of gratitude for being who you are, and for being connected with me.
- I send you appreciation for caring to make healthy choices for yourself.
- I send you a warm, relaxing breeze, a comfortable hammock with sounds of water lapping on the shore.
- I send you joy.
- I send you clocks that indicate there is plenty of time.
- I send you fresh, fragrant flowers with lots of different colors to brighten your corner of the world.
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