Chemicals

In our high school, we would often have practical classes in Chemistry. The wonderful thing about the practical classes were the chemical reactions. It would usually be mixing acids and bases together to get a new colour or a new scent. The most basic of all these tests would be the ‘litmus paper’ test. The litmus paper would change colour when dipped into a concoction thus revealing the ph of that substance.

But, what interests me is always the chemical reactions involving our olfactory senses or testers. The fragrance or odour that emerged from the chemical reaction determined the salts that were used. This whole idea of chemical reactions was almost forgotten. I was reminded of it when I read a quote by the psychologist Carl Jung. I do not recall the quote word for word but I do remember its essence. Carl Jung compared people as chemicals. He said that when two people interact with each other, a reaction is created which transforms at least one of them. No matter how old we are. In our past we have interacted with many; Our present consists of daily interactions’ and, our future is filled with interactions with new people. As we journey through life, we need to consider our interactions with others. Carl Jung is right in saying that in every interpersonal interaction there is a transformation. The question we could ask ourselves is, “Who is being transformed? If I am the one transforming the other, how am I transforming the other?”

May our interactions always radiate a fragrant smell over a pungent one.