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NOT A REPLACEMENT, BUT A RESOURCE CAN AI HELP US BUILD EMOTIONAL INTELLIGENCE?
Understanding and managing how we feel, as well as empathizing with others, can help us communicate better, resolve conflicts, and build stronger relationships. That’s the heart of emotional intelligence, an important life skill we can develop and grow. Our firm is working with the Palm Beach County Mental Health Counselors Association, an organization dedicated to the healing power of therapy services. Sometimes, we attend their educational programs, and there’s that we attended that really caught our attention. It’s exploring how a tool we might not naturally think of when we talk about mental health could play a role in counseling services. AI can never replace a professional mental health counselor, but maybe it could help us learn to become more emotionally intelligent if we use it the right way. People are increasingly turning to AI for emotional support and answers. It’s inexpensive and immediate, and it’s a way to gain insight into the issues going on in their lives by simply jumping on their computer or phone. Of course, it can’t diagnose or help us cope during hard times like a therapist can, but it could complement counseling and give us ideas or starting points for managing our emotions. For example, our kids just started at a brand- new school. Our daughter said her stomach felt like she was about to go on the Tower of Terror at Disney World. Ashley immediately felt for her because she remembered what it was like to start at a new school, meet new people, and feel nervous. We worked with her and our son on basic emotional intelligence skills to guide them through this: Try to talk to others, listen
more, be self-aware, don’t disrupt the classroom, and listen to your teachers. Before they went, we typed a few things out in an AI program. “I’m 10 and nervous about going to a new school. What are some things I can talk about with my friends, or some questions I can ask?” This is just one way AI could give us a little clarity and some ideas for dealing with the emotions we’re going through.
Ruby & Russell’s first day at their new school
The American Psychological Association (APA) released a
guide on safely using AI tools for mental health guidance. Like the prompt we created to help the kids approach the first day of school, the APA said AI can be very helpful in organizing thoughts, generating ideas, and encouraging us to reflect. They also said AI can be used to create questions to ask a friend or therapist and to practice emotional skills. Understanding and managing our emotions is incredibly important in any relationship. We can’t always just react or speak as soon as we feel the urge. It’s taking those emotional intelligence steps first, like thinking before acting, counting to 10, trying to step in another person’s shoes, or even planning a little more to help prevent unnecessary stress. Just like Ashley’s mom, Bernice, always says, “Patience is bitter, but its fruit is sweet.” A therapist can absolutely help you work on emotional intelligence, and AI could be another tool in your kit for understanding your own
feelings and empathizing with others. With Emotional Intelligence Awareness Month in October, it’s a good time to consider how we can safely leverage this tool. The APA suggested asking AI for evidence-based mental health strategies, using it to practice emotional skills, and seeking tips for finding a human mental health professional. Just verify any information you receive through trusted sources or your therapist. Keep in mind that AI is designed to reinforce your perspective, not challenge it, and, as confident and encouraging as it may sound, it could be wrong or just telling you what it thinks you want to hear. AI can never substitute working with a counselor or therapist, but it can be an aid in understanding what’s going on with our emotions. –Ashley and Christopher Bruce
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History is chock-full of rulers who believed they were untouchable, and one French king took that idea to the extreme. King Charles VI, who ruled from 1380 to 1422, became convinced his body was made entirely of glass. The medieval monarch believed he could shatter at any moment, avoiding contact that might crack him, and even reinforcing his clothes for extra protection. You might say this king had a rather fragile relationship with reality, but he was not the only glass man. THE TRANSPARENT THRONE The king’s crystal conviction started when he was about 24. Though historians don’t know why he believed his body changed so dramatically, his affliction was forged in flames, not unlike actual glass. Just weeks before he had his royal tailor sew iron rods into his clothes, a tragedy struck. The king and a group of his companions, dressed as wild men for a celebration, were set ablaze by a spark from the fire. Going down in history as “the Dance of Burning Men,” the event killed four of his nobles and left him scarred. From that point on, he did everything he could to protect his body. AN AGE OF FRAGILITY His strange belief wasn’t his only act of madness. Months before the fire, he killed four of his own knights in a fit of paranoia. While his tumultuous life may explain King Charles’ delusion, it doesn’t explain all the other glass men of the age. During the 15th and 16th centuries, tales were told of others who believed they were made of the delicate material. One was afraid to sit because he thought his backside would shatter. Another wanted to fling himself into a kiln to be transformed into a goblet. Medieval medicine claimed that melancholia, caused by black bile in the body, gave sufferers a glassy sheen. Paintings of the age often featured glass as a symbol of fragility, and glassmakers were viewed as alchemists. Historians believe that all the sparkling symbolism may have influenced the beliefs of these unusual men. Cracks in the Crown THE GLASS KING’S FRAGILE HISTORY
WHAT ARE YOU GIVING UP TO KEEP THINGS CALM? WHEN KEEPING THE PEACE KEEPS YOU STUCK Have you ever kept quiet just because you didn’t want to ruin the moment, or agreed to something unfair even though you would rather push back? “Keeping the peace” can feel like an easier path, one that could protect you or your loved ones from facing conflict. For many people considering a divorce, the idea of rocking the boat can feel worse than staying put, even if that boat has been taking on water for years. When keeping the peace becomes a pattern of putting off what you know isn’t working, it can end up just keeping you stuck. MINIMIZING YOU While compromise is important in marriage, it shouldn’t just be you making accommodations at the expense of your own needs. Putting your own feelings on the back burner may prevent immediate tension or a fight, but it can cause deeper struggles in the long term. The concerns you keep to yourself can become emotional weights you end up carrying alone. You may find yourself agreeing to things you’re not really comfortable with. It doesn’t cause the problems to go away just because you let them slide. Over time, resentment can build up when you constantly feel like your needs are overlooked and undervalued. NOT GETTING WHAT YOU DESERVE When you get into a pattern of being the peacemaker, it can impact the way you see yourself and the decisions you make. You may know your relationship is no longer healthy and happy, but you begin to second-guess yourself or hesitate to take the steps to move forward. Stuffing down your feelings, concerns, or wants can lead you to base your choices around simply ending the discomfort, rather than finding a resolution you truly deserve. You could wind up missing out on opportunities, bear an inequitable amount of responsibilities, or even stay in an unhappy situation for much longer. Difficult conflicts in your relationship may make you feel like you need to silence yourself to protect your peace or even your children’s. But you deserve real peace and a voice. If you’re looking for resources on approaching these conversations without sacrificing your needs or taking the next step, visit BrucePA.com .
Some kings ruled with an iron fist, but King Charles VI led with a much more delicate touch. Talk about living in a glass house!
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BREAKING THE ONE-MORE-CHANCE CYCLE MAYBE THIS TIME WILL BE DIFFERENT
“ Just one more chance. ”
It’s a promise many people find themselves making when they’ve started to wonder if their marriage can ever really change. Maybe things will get better after the holidays, when the children have grown up, or once your partner finally gets that promotion at work. When you find yourself giving your spouse chance after chance, but nothing seems to be improving, it can feel like a painful cycle. Though there may be hope for some couples to break that cycle, it could be a sign you’ve given all the chances you can. ANOTHER CHANCE There are many reasons we might stay with someone even though they continue to hurt us. Sometimes, people give their partner another chance because they genuinely want to believe they will make things right. Other times, it’s the fear of financial instability, disrupting the children’s lives, emotional manipulation, or unhealthy relationship dynamics that make the idea of being alone so scary that you accept behaviors. SIGNS OF THE CYCLE If your partner wants to improve the relationship, they will make a real effort. However, sometimes red flags can suggest they are unlikely to rise to the occasion if you give them another chance. If they say sorry but don’t act differently, then repeat the same behaviors, fail to show you they are worried about losing you, or avoid honest conversations, they’re not giving you evidence they are willing to work on things. Your own feelings may also be clueing you in if you feel anxious, hide things about the marriage from your loved ones, or feel drained trying to fix your spouse’s choices.
SAME MISTAKES We all make mistakes, but if someone cares about you, they will hear you when you tell them something has to change. While it’s okay if it takes them some time to work on an issue, if they aren’t making any effort after repeated conversations, another chance might not change that. If your needs are unmet, a divorce may be the path for you to get what you want and need from a partner and life. Contact Bruce Law Firm if you are ready to give yourself the chance for the happiness and love you deserve.
CIDER-BRAISED CHICKEN
Ruby’s prize
INGREDIENTS •
4 slices bacon, chopped
• •
2 tbsp chopped fresh thyme 2 tbsp whole grain mustard
•
8 bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs (about 3 1/2 lbs) 2 medium tart red apples, cored and cut into wedges
• 1 tsp kosher salt •
•
12 oz fresh Brussels sprouts, trimmed and halved
•
1 12-oz bottle hard cider
DIRECTIONS 1. In a large skillet, cook bacon over medium heat until crisp; remove from pan, reserving drippings in skillet. 2. Add chicken, skin side down, and cook 10 minutes or until browned, turning once; remove from skillet. 3. Add apples to skillet; cook 4 minutes or until browned on both sides; remove from skillet. 4. Discard drippings. 5. Add cider, thyme, mustard, and salt to skillet, scraping up any browned bits. 6. Bring to a boil; reduce heat. Return chicken to skillet. Cover and simmer 10 minutes. 7. Add Brussels sprouts. Cover and cook 5 minutes. 8. Add apples and cook, uncovered, 3–5 minutes more or until chicken is at least 175 F. 9. To serve, divide chicken, Brussels sprouts, and apples among bowls or plates. Spoon cider mixture over top. Sprinkle each with bacon.
Russell horseshowing Angel
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Finding New Ways to Understand How We Feel page 1
A Kingdom on the Verge of Shattering
Staying Quiet May Really Be Costing You page 2
Sorry Isn’t the Same as Changed
Cider-Braised Chicken page 3
Friendflation Is Real, and Your Bank Account Can Feel It page 4
FRIENDFLATION COULD BE THE CULPRIT FEELING BROKE AFTER EVERY VISIT WITH FRIENDS?
YOU CAN PROTECT YOUR FRIENDSHIPS WITHOUT OVERSPENDING. Keep in mind that meaningful friendships aren’t measured by how much money you spend. Honest conversations about budgets can prevent misunderstandings and reduce unnecessary pressure. Choosing lower-cost activities such as hiking, hosting potluck dinners, game nights, or coffee dates can be just as memorable as expensive outings. Friendships shouldn’t come with a price tag! The strongest friendships are built on trust, shared experiences, and mutual understanding, not on who can afford the fanciest dinner or the most extravagant weekend away.
Meeting up with friends used to be simple. A coffee, a stroll through the park, or a movie night at someone’s house was enough to stay connected. These days, catching up can feel more like planning a vacation. Between pricey dinners, destination birthdays and weddings, concert tickets, and group trips, maintaining friendships can take a serious bite out of your budget. This growing trend has earned a name: friendflation. It describes the rising cost of staying socially connected, and it’s leaving many people wondering whether they can afford to keep up. FRIENDSHIPS COST MORE THAN EVER! While actual inflation can be partly to blame for this “friendflation” phenomenon, expectations have shifted, too. Once low-key celebrations have become elaborate events. Birthdays turn into weekend getaways. Bridal parties involve flights, matching outfits, and expensive accommodations. Even a casual night out can cost far more than expected.
Social media has also played a role. Seeing friends post about luxury vacations, trendy restaurants, and picture- perfect gatherings can put pressure on you to say yes to experiences that don’t fit your budget. Even when no one intends to make others feel excluded, it’s easy to feel like you’re missing out if you have to decline invitations constantly. KNOW THE HIDDEN EMOTIONAL ‘COST.’ Many people feel uncomfortable admitting they can’t afford certain plans. Instead of being honest, they may make excuses or skip events altogether. Over time, this can lead to guilt, isolation, and the fear of drifting away from close friends. The challenge becomes even greater as people move through different stages of life. Friends who once shared similar budgets may now have very different incomes, financial priorities, or family responsibilities. What feels affordable for one person may be a major expense for someone else.
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