Take a Step Back: A Look at Mental Health and Intelligence

“Compassion hurts. When you feel connected to everything, you also feel responsible for everything. And you cannot turn away. Your destiny is bound with the destinies of others. You must either learn to carry the Universe or be crushed by it. You must grow strong enough to love the world, yet empty enough to sit down at the same table with its worst horrors.” - Andrew Boyd

We are accustomed to a world where society pushes each individual to be always on the "go". A day passes by in a flash and we awake in the present, which was shortly the "future" only a few seconds, minutes, and hours ago. 

When preoccupied with a task at hand, other priorities and/or concerns become shelved into a bookcase of "I'll come back to you later". Sometimes we forget the importance of giving time for ourselves to truly digest life and its experiences. Sure, there's Facebook updates, Instagram, Twitter, and camera shoots to document those highlights. 

But, what happened to those meaningful person-to-person conversations? 

The value of human relationships has become devalued in a society where media is upheld as the epitome of social relationships. This false image and superstition becomes subtly ingrained into people's minds that it is not often addressed. 

This past year, I've come to cherish those well-needed "me" times---a time for self-reflection, detachment, and self-awareness. This all goes back to the importance of maintaining a positive mental health. 

Education is deemed as the rock of wisdom. What type of "education" though? Academic intelligence is a great requisite for certain employment requirements. However, as human beings, what has become of other degrees and divisions of intelligence? Emotional, mental, psychological, social, and spiritual intelligence? Of what has become of these?

Throughout youth and up to college and post graduate years, we are still growing. We are still maturing. We are still seeking to improve. Perfection is attained through imperfection. Perfection in the sense that we are ultimately giving life our A+ game. Perfection in the sense that a person's true value is not measured by one's resume, diploma, cultural merit, or name tag. Perfection in the sense that a person is measured by their moral values, willpower, kindness, and forgiveness. 

Of what has become of these important human traits?

Every day, I face people who place material things over what is truly important: human relationships. The value of people is great. A simple piece of paper can not attest to the true merit and value of each person. If this were realized and reflected more often, I bet many people would be living a different kind of life. 

Change is difficult to attain because people are not comfortable with growing out of their bubble. Sure, people will fall away and not understand what you are pressing forward for...but, then, what does that show about them?

There are a pile of friends. There's your friends. And, then, there's your good friends. During the most difficult pits and bumps in life, that is when your true friends shine and shimmer. Good, healthy relationships and friendships are vital to maintaining mental health and attaining a more refined, well-rounded intelligence. 

Next time, when lunch time has hit or you're about to doze off into that tv show marathon, take a step back and give yourself some space and a time for reflection. Meditate. Talk it out. Think it out. Connect. 

Once you improve certain areas of your own dynamics, then the rest of the way becomes a tad bit easier,especially with the right people at your back. 

Happy holidays, everyone! Thanks for reading. :)