the kiss...

THE KISS
By: Kate Chopin

Summary

Mr. Brantain and Ms. Nathalie was spending time together in a cozy room. They were talking low, of different things which plainly were not the things that occupied their thoughts. The gentleman was closely observing every detail about Nathalie while the latter was waiting for the gentleman to declare his feelings for her. Nathalie knew that he loves her and she was willing to accept him. Although Brantain was insignificant and unattractive, he was enormously wealthy.

While the two were talking and having tea, the door opened. Nathalie faced toward the newcomer and without her knowing the newcomer kissed her. Brantain slowly arose and asked that he would be leaving. The lady did not speak.

As Brantain left them, Nathalie queried Harvy for his action. She was really angry with him. He really tried hard to explain to Nathalie that it was not his intention to cause an awkward situation. He claimed that he did not notice Brantain and that he was really sorry for what happened. Nathalie, on the other hand, was very upset and refuses to forgive him.

On an occasion, which Nathalie and Brantain were talking about, Nathalie asked Brantain if he could talk to her. He was rather sad but as she hold his arm as they walk away to talk, he begun to have gained hope. Nathalie began explaining to him about the incident. He told him that Harvy and she was like cousins and that Harvy assumed of having the same privileges as the family. She also stressed that it matters to her what Brantain thinks about her. This talk brought new hope to him and the misery disappeared from his face.

They become a couple and were married. Harvy was among the guests at the wedding; and he sought her out in a moment when she stood alone. He teased him by telling her that her husband asked him to kiss her. This act, according to Harvy, is Brantain’s way of showing that he does not want that his marriage would interrupt their intimacy which has existed between them. She smiled to him and her lips looked hungry for the kiss. But Harvy took it back and told her that she stop kissing women because it is dangerous.

Well, she had Brantain and his million left. A person can’t have everything in this world; and it was a little unreasonable of her to expect it.

Lessons Learned from the Story in Managing Emotion:

I learned that expressing one’s feeling is a good way of managing emotion because it can relieve you from anger, sadness, guilt and others. Also, it can improve your well-being when you show to others that you are happy and loved.

Another, open communication is another way of managing emotion. It does not only clarify one’s feelings toward the situation and person involved, it is also a means of building up a good relationship with others.

Work with Gain But without Strain

By: Kathy Simmons, Georgia USA
HEALTH & HOME March-April ‘03

SUMMARY:

Stress could be acquired from ones job due to various situations like unsatisfied costumers, new technology, stiff competition for promotion and recognition and even one’s salary. An individual should learn to control his or her stress so that it won’t affect one’s attitude and physical health. The following are tips to keep oneself from stress:
a. Remember: Stress is a response.
Learning to respond to stressors appropriately can help decrease stress. Once a person is faced with such situation he or she should face it calmly and avoid engaging oneself to a feeling of fear and anger.
b. Learn to laugh.
We are all familiar of the saying “Laughter is the best medicine”. Well, it is true since a hearty laugh relaxes muscles, reduces level of stress-creating hormones, and lowers blood pressure. It also lightens everyone’s mood creating a harmonious relationship with others, creativity increases and eases tensions.
c. Be gentle with yourself.
Don’t tolerate other people to talk about you negatively because it would add to the stress you are undergoing. Have a positive mindset to manage stressful situation. Treat yourself with care just like you would to a friend. Practice positive self-talk to uplift your spirit.
d. Take a “Technology Holiday”
Technology was supposed to make our lives easier but due to this technology people begin to have 24-hour office, which they can’t escape. Cellular telephones, laptop computers and pagers are said to increase their workload. So, once in a while we have to try to limit our use of the different technology, e.g. ignoring a call during lunch break.
e. Just say no
In workplaces, we can’t avoid that there are some distractions that will prevent us from meeting a deadline. It is good that when we are busy we learn to say no to these distractions but be sure to say it politely.
f. Forgive and Forget
It is not good to talk about negative experiences because it will only relieve the stress brought by the situation. Commit to unloading the grudges and anger in order to reduce one’s stress level.
REACTION:

Facing everyday adversaries would really cause us stress so if we won’t learn any stress management technique, we will slowly weaken and eventually will affect our health and social relationships. The techniques mentioned in the article are practical. They can be done gradually since it generally strikes the attitude of an individual. We can’t expect that by the time we read this article will be able to change our attitude towards problems in just a split second. We can do it one at a time for a more effective stress management.
I just want to add another technique to overcome stress, it is to accept that stress is inevitable and we could encounter it anytime, anywhere and by everyone. So, when we do this we are prepared to face the situation and treat it like a challenge of our everyday life. Also, it would be easier to let go of the negative experiences and avoid wallowing in our own frustrations.
Learning the different stress management is a tool we need to get through our lives with healthy mind and body.
Wednesday, October 25, 2006 Permalink