proportional

I recently read a book that offered this math fact. The tightness of a hug is proportional to the length of time between this and the next hug. When people go away for a significant time for school, deployment, vacation, or work, the farewell hugs seem to last forever with extra squeeze. At least in my experience the return hug on the other side of the parting is also intense. I think the author quantified that situation pretty accurately.

This found this situation follows the rule, too. The quality of one’s day is proportional to how much fruit one eats. I had three bowls of fruit at dinner, not to mention the couple of apples I consumed for Brunch. My day was FANTASTIC as most of them under this rule of statistics.

I noticed another proportional equation. The amount of joy/hurt one feels is proportional to the depth of one’s love and care for the other person. (I will qualify love really quickly as there might be misconception. Love is a deep affection and connection with another person in a way that allows you to know their soul. A kindred spirit is the best term.) When my students struggle in class, I often want to rush by their side to help, though recently, I show the same love by making them work through their English lessons. When my brother hits a triple, I am genuinely excited for him. When my aunt does a little jig after buying another pair of shoes, I dance along with her and her good fortune. And when my friend endures heart-wrenching circumstances, I want to take it on myself and be long-suffering by her side while she rests.

Proportional living isn’t really about formulas or ratios but about realizing how much one circumstance relates and can affect another. Even though I might understand this relationship, doesn’t mean I pop out an answer like on the other side of an equal sign. 2+2=5 (not quite)Instead, I gain a deeper appreciation for the complexity of the soul, the desire to understand it, and the hope that I ponder and act in ways that are intentional and optimistic.