Life...What's the matter?

There comes a point in your life when you realize who really matters, who never did, and who always will.

-Unknown

So it's day two of work and it doesn't take long to get back in to the swing of things. The holidays that only ended two days ago seem like a lifetime away and the countdown to the next break has begun. The joys of teaching!

One of the greatest things about teaching is the challenge and variety that comes with the job. There really are no two days ever the same. Different questions, different tasks and different subjects. One of the most challenging to teach is Science, and today it was time to tackle the subject again. Trying to explain scientific concepts can be quite tricky but today I thought would be pretty straight forward...or so I thought

Our Science topic for the next few weeks is that of matter; i.e. solids, liquids and gasses. Now to most people this is a straight forward concept to understand. Some things are solid, some are liquid and some are gas. That's just the way it is 'because it is'. But unfortunately, as with all children, 'because it is' is not a good enough answer. How do you explain invisible particles that make up all things? Why is a solid a solid? Why is a liquid a liquid? Why is a gas a gas?

After some explaining to the children using actions and pictures, the children soon began to see the difference. So, for all of you wondering, here's the difference (WARNING: Science lesson about to start. Please bear with us!);

Solids have particles which are joined together with strong bonds. Even when they are slightly heated they will never loose their bond. Its firm through out it all. And even if you try to break a solid material with force you will never break particles apart completely.

Liquids have bonds between their particles but they are weaker bonds. The particles can move around and over each other but will never completely break away. If you heat a liquid however, and apply a bit of pressure, the particles gain energy and break off from each other. Eventually it gets too much and the particles break completely and go their own way, forming a gas.

A gas has particles which are not joined and they simply move around on their own, occasionally bumping into each other, but no strong bonds are formed.And that in a nutshell is the basics of matter.

Now, I now what you're thinking, when did this blog turn into an education blog? Well it's not. This whole example of explaining properties of matter got me thinking about the bonds we have with people in life.

Solids - I guess this best describes those people you keep close. Those you know you can turn to in times of trouble. The bonds are strong and they don't break when the heat is on, when the pressure gets too much. Solid friends and solid relationships stay firm through it all. Even when those people are far away from you, there's always that part of you that knows you are never apart completely. Solids are the close friends and family we have in our lives.

Liquids - How many times have you developed relationships with people who simply move around and use you as a springboard for something? The relationships with these sorts of people tend to be much weaker and given the smallest bit of pressure and they simply collapse. There's no real depth, it's all face value. When it all gets too much they are the ones that leave you flying solo. The sorts of people that really we could all do without.

And gasses - Well, we all come into contact with these, those people who know to stay well clear of. Those who are out for themselves and never really form any sort of bond or relationship, but you know where you stand with them. It's all about 'me' and number 1 always comes first.

3 very different types of relationship, all of which we come into contact with all the time. We may try to stay away from liquid and gas relationships but why? You see without the liquids we don't appreciate the solids. Without the gasses we don't appreciate the liquids. I guess we need a little bit of liquid and gas to help us truly appreciate those people who are our Solids! After all, what would the world be like without any liquids and gasses?

And so I end with this thought.

Life is all about balance. How often do we hear about living a balanced lifestyle? All the time! Reading through this blog probably caused you to think  about people in your life who you know you could put into each of the different categories mentioned above; solid people, liquid people and gas people.

In our life we might try to avoid those liquid and gas people in our lives in order to avoid getting into any problems, but the truth is we can't escape these people! And why should we? Having liquid relationships and gas relationships in our lives help us to better appreciate and be thankful for the solid relationships we have in life.

So today, don't spend your time trying to avoid the liquids and gasses in your life. They will always be around so just embrace them. Instead, keep life balanced. Concentrate and spend time with those solids around you. Those people who are bonded strongly to you and are there for you no matter what.

Just remember, liquids can be mopped up, gasses can be burned out but solids stand firm through thick and thin!

Bywyd sydd yn byw - Just living life!

RM