Thursday, May 24, 2018

Soul Fever



We do not fight, my husband and I, not in the typical way that people think of when they hear that two people ‘had a fight’. We do not raise our voices. Loud harsh words, spoken in anger, cause us to both disengage and retreat from the conversation. If there is a door that gets slammed in our house it is because the wind from an open window got carried in on a strong breeze.

We work hard, in our relationship as a couple, to foster kindness and understanding with each other. We also understand that each day is not perfect. We are not perfect. Life is not perfect. The picture of perfection is subject to the viewers eye, and for us we have built an image of what we feel is perfection for our relationship.

When life is not perfect and something in our thoughts begins to overrule our normal calm, it can create times when a person gets moody, inconsolable, edgy, and cranky. Those times when an adult seems to be on the verge of a temper tantrum befitting a two year old, those are the times in our relationship that I could never quite put a description to, until now; it's a soul fever.

 A term that Simplicity Parenting is owed all due credit and one that adequately describes those imperfect moments when our feelings and emotions are trying to run away with our ideals of good behavior.

Even as adults we do not always understand our own feelings, sometimes we just need a little time. Just like when we were two years old and no one could quite understand why we were in the throes of a temper tantrum nor could anyone magically help us resolve what was bothering us, sometimes we just needed a little time.

A little time, a lot of solace, and a huge dose of quiet understanding can soothe these flawed moments, these soul fevers.

A soul fever can happen at any age, at any given moment in a person’s life. Sometimes the heat from a fever is quickly quenched, and sometimes it can last a few days. The best thing we can do for each other is to understand that there probably is not one cause for the fever and there most likely is not a magic cure. The best remedy for a soul fever is compassion towards each other with a side dose of quiet understanding.

When the fever breaks, life can again look more like a perfect day.

***

Inspired by Design for Mankind ASimple Book.  

2 comments:

Anonymous said...

Love your post today. I can see how you and your husband work together to make that marriage work. You are very good to each other and very good for each other. I smile when I think of you two. you are a great inspiration to those that share lives with you. Thank you. Have a great day, Loving you with Grace.

Julia Mist DJune said...

My dear Grace, you are very kind and your generous words warm my heart. You have a most excellent day. Love backatcha to you are your dear family.