Graphite
What does a lowly pencil lead have in common with a diamond? They’re both made entirely of carbon, the element that gave rise to all life on Earth. But in another way, they’re total opposites. Diamond is the hardest mineral on Earth, able to cut through anything, whereas graphite is so soft it’s used as a lubricant to make machinery work more smoothly. That’s not to say this big softy is a wimp, though: It withstands incredibly high temperatures and can even conduct electricity, making it a powerful component of motors and batteries. Let’s see diamond do that! Finally, you may know graphite best as the “lead” in our pencils. As the saying goes, “the pen is mightier than the sword,” or, in this case, the pencil. Graphite is proof that softness and communication can be far more effective than the most cutting weapons. If it’s showing up for you, the message is clear: Now is not the time to harden up or fight. Instead, soften up. If you reach out and connect with other people, you might be surprised to find your power increasing and your world running more smoothly, too.
The Bottom Line
CONNECT
“Soften, reach out, and communicate.”
One Or More Of These Messages Are For You
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- Your current situation calls for softness and connection, not hardness or cutting words.
- You’ll be amazed at what you can accomplish by softening your heart and communicating with others.
- Communication is key at this moment, but make sure your goal is to connect rather than control or convince.
- If you’re in a sticky situation, try smoothing things over with thoughtful words and actions.
- You might find writing to be especially helpful right now, so try texting, writing an email, or even sending a good old-fashioned letter.
- Ask yourself: How can I grease the wheels to make things work more smoothly and easily?
- Seek out good communicators who know how to get people working well together.
- Try connecting with yourself through journaling and drawing.
