First Impressions: Emotions and Conflict
Some time ago I went to school and obtained a certificate in medical assisting,
while working a forty hour a week job; at a place I hated going to, but holding onto hope of one day having a profession in the healthcare field. Between work and school I had no time for my children or my husband. Our lack of communication became a major cause of interpersonal conflict, which eventually turned to physical violence; with no hope of getting better. I had dreams of furthering my education, but it would not be feasible if I wanted to salvage what marriage I had left. I continued to work my dead end job, all the while becoming unsocial and isolating myself. My health started deteriorating slowly. I felt as if I was drowning in my own depression. I had shut everyone out, no one to talk to except my children and husband. My children were too young to understand, let alone burden them with how I was feeling. My husband, well his communication had become his fists, somewhere against my body. So I was alone, or so I thought. Then one day, I met a very significant individual whom I connected with in so many ways. At first he would come into where I worked and just say “Hello, How are you today?” I knew that he was just being friendly and polite, but I would respond back with “Hi” and nothing more. He did this every day for several weeks. As time went on he began to ask more questions about me and my life. At times I would think to myself, what’s wrong with this guy? I would watch him interact with my other coworkers and his communication to them was just the same. I would often wonder why he is so happy all the time. He has no problem talking to a total stranger. Is he being nice to me because he likes me? I would become so happy with just the few words he spoke to me. I was beginning to take his behavior personal to some length, but at the end of the work day it was back to depressing old self. Then one morning I arrived at work...