The Fifth Element
8-Jun-24
Centuries ago, Aristotle suggested the world in which we currently inhabit was comprised of four main elements: Earth (I imagine this includes all solid, natural matter), Wind or air, Fire and Water. These elements are necessary for sustaining life on this plane of existence, I do not disagree with this, But I strongly believe that there is another, just as important element, just as Lue Besson suggests in his film titled “The Fifth element”. This element is commonly referred to as “Love”.
But what IS love? Is it it simply a warm and comforting feeling between a parent and their offspring? Perhaps it is the intense desire shared by a couple of curious and hormone charged teenagers sloppily making out in the back of a hand me down 80’s Chevy Blazer. Maybe it is the gentleness of an elderly couple walking gingerly hand in hand in the park even after fifty years of for better and for worse. Maybe it is the soothing and steady guidance of a caregiver during an unplanned and much detested visit to the hospital Perhaps it is all these and more. Whatever we call it, it is an extremely potent force that even science has proven is necessary to sustain a successful life in at least some form, such as in the horrific experiment done in 1944 in which forty babies were separated into two groups. One group was cared for as normal, touching, speaking and generally given what we refer to as love or affection. The other half had their physiological needs met (Fed, bathed and diapered) but no affection from the caregiver was received. This experiment was halted after a few months, due to the babies in the no affection group dying (Jim Faughn, 2020). This experiment and so many more show how important love, or, the fifth element, to the wellbeing of our existence.
I go by several names and titles, so I will simply refer to myself as The Fifth Element, but I will give you an idea of where I am coming from as I write. I am a daughter who was raised by a single at times and otherwise had several men who I will collectively refer to as “dad” while growing up, I am the oldest of five children (2 younger brothers and two younger sisters). I am a Veteran of the United States Army, I have worked in the medical field for over two decades in multiple roles, mostly as a Radiology technologist, Radiology supervisor, Interventional radiology technologist, with some time as a CNA and tech assistant while in school for my Associates. I also am a registered psychotherapist and worked as an addiction counselor with emphasis on mental health. I am also a mother of two daughters, one granddaughter. I have been thrice married with several step-children who are all grown and some keep in contact. I have loved and lost, then loved again. I have held the hand of the dying and joked with a scared new mother. I have encountered mental health problems, eating and other addiction type disorders professionally as well as personally and as a mother, daughter, sibling and wife. Everything I will write about has been a true experience and only names or revealing personal identifiers will be modified for the protection of those I write about unless permission has been given. Please enjoy, respond and share my work!
References
Faughn, J. (2020, May 11). No Human Contact. A Legacy of Faith Newsletter. Retrieved June 8, 2024, from https://faughnfamily.com/no-human-contact/#:~:text=In%20the%20United%20States%2C%201944%2C%20an%20experiment%20was,thrive%20alone%20on%20basic%20physiological%20needs%20without%20affection.
I eagerly await more readings.