I grabbed this stressball today off another teacher's desk. I was stressed out myself having to spend the day testing. I focused more on my own boredom than the student testing with me- HE was the one testing after all. And then I grabbed the stressball... Actually it was a stress "heart" and I squeezed it on and off for the better part of an hour. This heart was perfect, until I got my hands on it. It began to crack down the middle.
I kept working that heart with my hand, watching the crack appear and disappear as I squeezed it. I thought of people, trying to be perfect on the outside with their flaws hidden to most. My brain zeroed in on my students like it so often does. They try (in their own way) to look good, pimped out, stylin'! Students arrive at school and many times I can't see the cracks they possess. It's not until someone applies pressure, like the stressball, that the cracks are revealed. I would never want to do that to them.
This picture reminds me that we all have cracks, but when too much pressure is applied they can become worse. Don't make that mistake- choose to be kind and loving to your fellow human beings, especially the ones you don't like. Often they need your understanding and patience most of all.