Emotional Intelligence

She gestured to the array of shells piled on her left side. "Each one of these shells represents a different perspective, a different journey. Some are smooth and polished thanks to the waves they've encountered; others are cracked and chipped from harsh, relentless storms. Just like us, they all have their own stories," she continued, her fingers gently running over the jagged edges of a cracked shell, the smooth surface of another. Talyssa picked up two contrasting shells; one, weather-worn and jagged from years of being tossed around by the fierce ocean waves, and the other still retaining its original smooth surface, protected perhaps by a sandbar or some other natural barrier. Holding them up for observation, she began to weave a narrative that encompassed the experiences of both shells. “But of course, this isn’t a lesson about the differences in sea shells. It’s about having empathy for others. We can't truly understand another's experience," Talyssa continued, her gaze focused on the two shells in her hand. "We might think we do, but every person’s journey is as unique as these shells. Each has faced a storm that the other hasn't. Each bears the scars of their struggles, visible or not." She let her words linger in the crisp winter air, allowing their weight to settle over those who had gathered. The conch shells took on a new meaning, representing tangible examples of life's trials and tribulations, each one etched with its own unique tale of survival.

"Talyssa Carpathius"