Hidden Lessons Behind What We Feel - 2 :Smile, Peace, Love, Anxiety and Jealousy
Every emotion, whether joy, sadness, anger, or frustration, carries a message.
They reflect our inner truths, desires, and boundaries. When we take the time to listen and reflect, these emotions can help us understand our needs, make better decisions, and ultimately foster personal growth.
Embracing our feelings, rather than pushing them away, allows us to evolve and live more authentically.
Are you holding back?
A- Smile
It was one of those grey mornings when everything felt heavy. I had barely slept, and the endless to-do list at work weighed on my mind. I walked into the coffee shop, almost dragging my feet, barely noticing the horns of traffic. As I waited for my latte, a woman in front of me turned around.
Our eyes met, and the woman, who appeared my mother’s age offered me a genuine smile. Not the kind that’s polite, but the kind that seems to say, “I see you.” It wasn’t just a quick flash of teeth; it was warm, like the first rays of sunlight after a storm. I felt something stir inside. The weight on my shoulders lightened, just a little. "Hey, how’s your day going?" the woman asked, her voice friendly and full of curiosity. I found herself smiling back, the tension easing as I replied, "It’s... better now."
The woman’s smile lingered even after we both went our separate ways, may be never to meet again but for me, it stayed long after. That simple act—a smile—had somehow turned the course of my day around. It was a reminder that no matter how hard life gets, there’s always room for kindness. Sometimes, it’s the smallest gestures is all one needs and that makes the biggest impact.
Smile is like a friendly reminder to share joy with the world. Imagine meeting someone on a difficult day and simply offering a smile—it can change the entire energy of the moment.
Smiling isn't just a reflex; it’s an invitation to spread positivity wherever we go or whoever it be. Agree?
B- Peace
Peace gently whispers for us to breathe and find stillness. Think of a quiet moment on a park bench, the gentle rustling of leaves around you—this peaceful feeling encourages you to pause, breathe, and reconnect with your inner calm amidst life’s chaos.
Let’s catch the core of peace with Lena’s story…
Lena had always been a go-getter, driven by deadlines, meetings, and the constant hum of city life. Her days were a blur of tasks, her mind a constant whirlwind of thoughts. But today, something felt different. The usual noise seemed louder than before, the pressure more suffocating. It was as if her mind was pleading for a moment of peace, but she didn't know how to find it.
After finishing an early morning conference call, she decided to take a break. She grabbed her coat and left her apartment, stepping into the cool, crisp air. She found herself walking, without purpose, until she reached a small park—a quiet space she hadn’t visited in months. She sat down on a weathered bench, the noise of the city fading as the leaves of the trees rustled gently above her.
For the first time in weeks, Lena took a deep breath and simply... paused. The air was fresh, the sunlight filtering through the branches, casting soft shadows on the ground. For a few moments, there was nothing to do, nowhere to be. Just the soothing sound of leaves dancing in the wind and the quiet hum of nature.
Lena closed her eyes, allowing herself to be present in the moment. She realized she had been chasing life so relentlessly, trying to fill every second with productivity, that she had forgotten how to simply be. Peace wasn’t something you had to work for or earn; it was a state of mind you could enter, if only you allowed yourself to.
As the world around her continued to spin, Lena felt a calmness begin to wash over her. The worries she’d been carrying for days seemed distant, insignificant even, in the face of this moment. It wasn’t about solving everything or being on top of every situation. It was about finding balance, reconnecting with herself, and understanding that stillness, even in the middle of chaos, could be a powerful force.
When Lena stood up to leave, she felt lighter, like she had just rediscovered a part of herself she had forgotten. She smiled, a quiet gratitude filling her heart.
Life doesn’t have to be lived at full speed, always chasing the next thing. Sometimes, the greatest clarity comes from simply stopping and breathing, letting peace guide you back to what truly mattered right?
C- Love
Ella sat in the corner of the library, her books spread out in front of her, but her mind wasn’t really on the pages. She was thinking about her last meeting with Professor Harris. He had been more than just a mentor to her; he was the one who encouraged her to keep going when everything felt impossible, the one who believed in her even when she didn’t believe in herself.
Their relationship had always been more than academic. He didn’t just teach her about literature, but about life—how to question, how to grow, how to see the world with a deeper understanding. But lately, Ella had been struggling. Her final thesis was looming, and she felt completely stuck. The weight of expectations, both internal and external, was suffocating her.
When she arrived at his office the following week, he noticed the exhaustion in her eyes. “You look like you’ve been running on empty,” he said with a knowing smile.
“I’m just... trying to finish everything,” she replied, her voice trailing off. She didn’t want to admit how hard it had been.
He sat across from her, folding his hands, his eyes soft with understanding. “Ella, you’ve been working so hard, but you’re missing something important. You’re writing for others, but you need to write for yourself. What do you want to say?”
Ella blinked, unsure of what he meant. She had been so caught up in meeting expectations—grades, deadlines, even the approval of others—that she had forgotten the deeper purpose of her work: the passion and love that had first driven her to study literature.
For the first time in months, Ella felt a flicker of clarity. Write for yourself. It was simple, but powerful. She smiled, a small breath of relief escaping her lips.
Professor Harris stood up and walked over to the window. “You know, when I was your age, I was just as lost. But I had a mentor who told me something that stuck: ‘True connection, whether it’s with your work or with the people around you, comes when you stop trying to impress, and just start being real.’”
Ella absorbed the words, feeling a shift deep inside her. She realized that her relationship with him had never been about impressing each other, but about connection—honest, unspoken support, and the understanding that they were both constantly evolving. Their conversations weren’t just academic; they were about life, growth, and what it meant to truly see each other for who they were.
When she left his office that day, she felt lighter, more cantered. She wasn’t just writing for her thesis anymore. She was writing for herself, sharing her own voice. She realized that the true love between a student and mentor wasn’t about praise or accolades; it was about guidance, vulnerability, and a shared belief in each other’s potential.
Weeks later, when she finally handed in her thesis, Professor Harris gave her a knowing smile. “I see you,” he said simply.
Ella smiled; the words no longer necessary. She knew the connection between them was one built on trust and understanding—a love that went beyond words and grades. It was about recognizing that they both, in their own ways, had nurtured something much deeper than academic achievement. It was the bond of mutual respect that made the bond of love and of believing in each other’s growth, and of being there, always, in the moments when it mattered most.
Love is a call for expression and connection. It might pop up in moments when you're hugging a close friend, or even when you're making a homemade meal for someone you care about. Love nudges you to nurture those relationships, irrespective of what name the relationship carries or may be one without a name!
D- Jealousy
One day, Emma sat at her desk, scrolling through her emails, when a message from HR caught her attention: “Congratulations to Sarah for her well-deserved promotion!” She felt a twinge in her chest. Sarah had been with the company for less time than Emma, and yet here she was, moving up the ladder while Emma stayed in the same role, working just as hard. The familiar pang of jealousy surged, and Emma could feel her thoughts spiralling.
Why her, not me? What did she have that I didn’t? But as the initial sting faded, something unexpected happened. Instead of spiralling deeper into resentment, Emma paused. She realized that what she was feeling wasn’t about Sarah at all. It was about her own unspoken dreams and ambitions. The jealousy wasn’t about hating Sarah’s success—it was about wanting the same for herself.
For the first time, Emma asked herself: What do I really want from my career? She realized that for years, she had been drifting, doing her best work, but never truly setting a clear path for where she wanted to go. She had always been so focused on the day-to-day grind that she hadn’t stopped to think about what her next step should be. What if she had been too comfortable, too afraid of stepping outside her routine? That evening, Emma sat down with her journal and wrote out her thoughts. She asked herself the tough questions: What are my career goals? Where do I want to be in five years? What would make me truly excited to go to work every day? And slowly, as the answers began to emerge, Emma realized that the jealousy she felt wasn’t just a negative emotion—it was an invitation to get clear on her own desires.
The next morning, Emma scheduled a meeting with her boss to discuss her career progression, something she had avoided in the past, unsure of how to approach it. She also began researching courses and skills that would help her grow into the role she truly wanted. The jealousy that had once made her feel small now fuelled her determination to create her own path forward.
By the end of the year, Emma was not only more fulfilled in her work, but she had also made significant strides toward her own promotion. What began as jealousy had transformed into clarity, action, and growth. She understood now that jealousy wasn’t about comparison or resentment—it was about recognizing the desires within herself that she hadn’t yet acknowledged.
And as she looked at Sarah, she no longer felt envy, but a deep gratitude—for reminding her of what she truly wanted, and for giving her the courage to pursue it.
Jealousy often appears when you see someone achieving something you desire. It’s not about resentment—it’s actually an invitation to reflect on your own dreams.
Do you feel jealous of a colleague’s promotion? Then – understand that it’s a sign to ask yourself…
What do I truly want in my career, and what steps can I take to get there?
E - Anxiety
It is a sign that you need to trust yourself more. It's that flutter in your chest before a big decision, urging you to prepare and anticipate. Anxiety tells you that you’re on the edge of something important, and with the right self-trust, you can rise to the challenge.
Sophia stood in the doorway, staring at the sea of faces before her. Her palms were damp, her stomach twisted in knots. The flutter in her chest wasn’t just nervousness—it was a rush of anxiety, an electric buzz that made her want to turn and run. But she didn’t. Not this time.
She had been preparing for this moment for months: a pivotal meeting with potential investors. This was her chance to take her startup to the next level, to finally step out of the shadows and show the world what she had built. But standing there now, the weight of the opportunity was almost suffocating.
Her mentor, Ben, had warned her about this. “Anxiety isn’t your enemy, Sophia. It’s a sign. A sign that you’re about to face something important, something that matters. Lean into it, trust yourself, and you’ll rise.”
Sophia swallowed hard, taking in the room. Each face represented a chance, a step toward something bigger. The flutter in her chest wasn’t fear; it was anticipation. She had worked tirelessly, believed in her idea when others doubted her. She had reached this point because she was capable.
She stepped into the room, her heart still racing, but now with purpose. The anxiety didn’t disappear—it was still there, like an uninvited guest at the party—but it no longer controlled her. She squared her shoulders, took a deep breath, and started.
The words came at first in a rush, but soon they found their rhythm. The pitch flowed, her vision becoming clear in her mind, the product of sleepless nights and endless planning. Her voice steadied, her confidence building with each word.
By the end, there was a silence in the room, thick with expectation. Sophia stood tall, the anxiety now an echo in the background. She had trusted herself, and that trust had been the bridge between her fear and her potential.
As the investors exchanged glances and nods, she realized the truth in Ben’s words: anxiety was not a sign to hold back, but a signal that she was on the edge of something transformative. And with that self-trust, she knew she could face anything that came next.
By understanding the messages behind each emotion, we gain a deeper connection with ourselves and those around us.
Emotions, rather than being obstacles, are the maps that guide us toward greater well-being and personal growth.
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