omg same it's awful. except I live in Texas so most people who support a political candidate like to try to force their opinions onto others and it sucks because they only read one specific news channel that says a lot of lies and they refuse to believe anything else that does not support their viewpoint
It's crazy how something simple as a hug can trigger all those chemicals in our brains! And yeah it's a very contradicting feeling, thank you for taking the time to write this, it's good to know I am not the only one like this.
I like how you illustrated this in a different way! You showed the beauty despite the unusual sensation from the salt, which didn’t stop the character from loving the ocean
This made me laugh, more than once! I don't know if that was your intention, but I think it comes down to relatability: We've all been in this exact same situation, many times over throughout our lives, and I'll admit I've made snap-judgments about someone's manners and character when they let a door swing into my face right behind them, or offer no smile of acknowledgment when I hold the door myself. Asking ourselves if someone is just having a bad day and in their own head is a valuable question we can apply to so many other social situations in which someone appears a little uncouth, or is acting differently than normal, I think. We often blame ourselves for that and wonder what we did wrong, and take things as a personal affront, when most of the time... honestly, yeah, someone's probably just having a rough one! Door-holding is quite a narrow topic to focus on, but it definitely did get me thinking, I'll admit!
I've never thought about equality in this way, or made these associations before: the shooting stars in the sky, the pennies in the bottom of a well, as HOPE for a brighter future sparkling before us as if within our grasp, but always fleeting or always sinking, ultimately unattainable. But these metaphors make perfect sense, now that you've drawn the comparisons. Casting wishes will only get us so far, I suppose; they are not movements toward real change. I think we should still keep tossing our coins and gazing out at the sky, wishing and dreaming, nonetheless. Because sometimes hope is the only thing that keeps us steady enough to move forward, one foot at a time.
It WILL matter, because YOU matter. I'm the same way about hugs: Often I feel awkward and uncomfortable and all I want to do is take a step backward, only to realize when it's over that it was very much needed. What you're feeling is extremely human; many of us crave gentle touch, a warm embrace, a friendly pat on the shoulders or the head, even if there's a part of us that has built up walls and feels protective or defensive. A hug has actual measured physiological effects on us that we naturally desire -- as in, there have been actual studies done about the release of oxytocin, reduced levels of cortisol (the stress hormone), and lowered blood pressure and heart rate. You're not alone in wanting that release, but also having an aversion to the emotional vulnerability that comes with a hug. Those things are not mutually exclusive! I hope you can cut yourself a little slack for not always being able to read the opposing signals your body and brain are giving you. It happens to the best of us. And I'll say again: You DO matter.
omg same it's awful. except I live in Texas so most people who support a political candidate like to try to force their opinions onto others and it sucks because they only read one specific news channel that says a lot of lies and they refuse to believe anything else that does not support their viewpoint
This poem is so cool! :)
It's crazy how something simple as a hug can trigger all those chemicals in our brains! And yeah it's a very contradicting feeling, thank you for taking the time to write this, it's good to know I am not the only one like this.
Thank you. I'm so glad that it resonated with you.
Love this idea, riphssmyth! Let us know if you want help setting it up.
I like how you illustrated this in a different way! You showed the beauty despite the unusual sensation from the salt, which didn’t stop the character from loving the ocean
Thank you so much!
This made me laugh, more than once! I don't know if that was your intention, but I think it comes down to relatability: We've all been in this exact same situation, many times over throughout our lives, and I'll admit I've made snap-judgments about someone's manners and character when they let a door swing into my face right behind them, or offer no smile of acknowledgment when I hold the door myself. Asking ourselves if someone is just having a bad day and in their own head is a valuable question we can apply to so many other social situations in which someone appears a little uncouth, or is acting differently than normal, I think. We often blame ourselves for that and wonder what we did wrong, and take things as a personal affront, when most of the time... honestly, yeah, someone's probably just having a rough one! Door-holding is quite a narrow topic to focus on, but it definitely did get me thinking, I'll admit!
I've never thought about equality in this way, or made these associations before: the shooting stars in the sky, the pennies in the bottom of a well, as HOPE for a brighter future sparkling before us as if within our grasp, but always fleeting or always sinking, ultimately unattainable. But these metaphors make perfect sense, now that you've drawn the comparisons. Casting wishes will only get us so far, I suppose; they are not movements toward real change. I think we should still keep tossing our coins and gazing out at the sky, wishing and dreaming, nonetheless. Because sometimes hope is the only thing that keeps us steady enough to move forward, one foot at a time.
It WILL matter, because YOU matter. I'm the same way about hugs: Often I feel awkward and uncomfortable and all I want to do is take a step backward, only to realize when it's over that it was very much needed. What you're feeling is extremely human; many of us crave gentle touch, a warm embrace, a friendly pat on the shoulders or the head, even if there's a part of us that has built up walls and feels protective or defensive. A hug has actual measured physiological effects on us that we naturally desire -- as in, there have been actual studies done about the release of oxytocin, reduced levels of cortisol (the stress hormone), and lowered blood pressure and heart rate. You're not alone in wanting that release, but also having an aversion to the emotional vulnerability that comes with a hug. Those things are not mutually exclusive! I hope you can cut yourself a little slack for not always being able to read the opposing signals your body and brain are giving you. It happens to the best of us. And I'll say again: You DO matter.