#emotions...

These visceral components of our soul get a bad rap a fair amount of times. They are often misunderstood, misdirected and misused...

What do I mean, you ask...

When have you ever found yourself "feeling" something internally and profoundly, yet you weren't able to express it in words? [Understand your feelings so you can express them]

When have you ever "projected" your emotions more than talking them out? [tell them HOW you feel, don't direct/display them]

When have you ever not questioned your own motives more than you question others? [When you find yourself questioning others... it's time to start questioning yourself MORE]

When have you ever thought to yourself BEFORE you release hurtful words... "Would I like someone saying back to me, what I'm saying to them?" [Hence: Use the golden rule]

Psychiatric professionals go through MANY YEARS of various training and continued education on this one subject alone, so how are "we the people" supposed to "get it right" at any given moment? Give your partner a break... they have their own issues yet still give you their best effort. Is it perfect? NO! Accept they are human just as you are.

People often forget "emotions are choices" not projectiles to be thrown at each other.

- Do you NOT have the ability to choose whether to "Take the High Road or Low Road?

- Do you NOT have the ability to simply listen more than attack them?

- Do you NOT have the ability to choose to love someone despite their poor behavior?

- Do you NOT have the ability to simply HOLD them through their turmoil?

Therefore all Emotions are individually personal... OWN YOURS and help others to own theirs. Hopefully you can find mutual ground to nurture each other and love in the light our God and Creator gave us when he granted "FREE WILL" upon our souls.

Self Control is the pinnacle we all seek for it is within this we grow in strength.

agan has long forgotten any opinions they had about specific airports. they all blend together in their memory into a confusing mess of light and sound and people walking into them without noticing. denver, though, they remember. maybe it would’ve been fine if the flight had been shorter or if they were adjusted to being alive and in a universe just to the left or if they had prepared better but as it is they land at DIA, get off the plane, and immediately sit down next to the gate, their carryon dropping to the floor with a thud. amal waves off a concerned looking airport employee and sits down next to them. agan’s hands are pulled close around their face and they startle when amal puts a hand on their shoulder.

“agan.” his voice is quiet. “can you talk right now?” they shake their head. “i’m going to give you two options and hold out one hand for each. are you okay.” he holds out his right hand, “or not okay?” he holds out his left hand. after a moment, agan taps his left hand with one of their own. “sound,” right hand, “or something else?” left hand. they tap both. “sound and something else.” they nod. “light,” right hand, “or something else?” left hand. they tap his right hand. amal unwinds his scarf from around his neck and unfolds it into something close to a shawl. he drapes it over both of them. “is that better?” they nod. “is there still something else wrong?” they nod again and amal has to think for a moment. “crowds,” right hand, “or something else?” left hand. agan puts several hands on amal’s right. “we can wait here for a bit and then head to the baggage claim later. is that okay?” they nod. “is there still something else?” there’s a paus before agan makes the sign for Chicago, a hand cupped into a c, tracing a seven in the air. “chicago,” amal says. they nod and tap their fingers together the way they do when they’re searching for the right words and amal takes the time they need to think to peek outside the shawl. people are starting to clear out. in a few minutes it might be sparse enough for the two of them to head out.

“divine mandate,” agan finally says. it’s something that’s been coming up a lot. agan, the one amal had married, had never talked about the Call much, only that it was present. they spent more time talking about Chicago the entity, like there was a symbiotic relationship between the two of them.  “do you feel bad about leaving?” they nod and then make a “kinda” motion with one hand while moving slowly to get their AAC device out. “Responsible for the city. Responsibility to the others.” “divine mandate,” they repeat. “is this from Mx. Chicago,” right hand, or from you?” left hand. agan hesitates for a long time before clasping amal’s left hand. “well,” amal says. “we have a long drive from here to Breckenridge. and if you don’t feel better about this by the time we’re there, we can stay a night at Edric’s and then come back to Chicago. is that okay?” “Yes.” “are you good to move now?” “Yes. Not far.” “yeah. we’ll find somewhere for you to sit and i’ll go get luggage. does that work?” “Yes.”