What's In Your Heart?

A person's actions depict the heart,
not the words they say. ~ Brian Lee

by Pete Ferguson

Over the weekend, my wife and I heard a great piece of advice - when you meditate, bring your children with you.

At first it sounded very counterintuitive, when we meditate, it is to escape the pressures of life, relax and enjoy the quiet. But the speaker went on to clarify - when you meditate, take the talents, challenges, and struggles of a child with you in your heart. This helps you to bond with the child while physically detached and find creative solutions - inspiration - that might not otherwise come.

Great advice.

It is only with the heart that one can see rightly; what is essential is invisible to the eye. ~ Antoine De Saint-Exupery

Steph's grandfather turned 93 in December. He went in for a routine hip surgery last summer and unfortunately has not been home since, living out his final days in a nursing home and now hospital. He's a real fighter though, tough through and through.

And he is also a great example of someone who keeps his kids, grand kids, and great grand kids in his heart. At 93, he remembers things well and asks the kids about their instruments and hobbies.

My own grandfathers contracted cancer shortly after retiring and died when I was in my teens. Both also exemplified this ability to be outside of themselves when it came to their grandchildren, unfortunately both died before I was 20. But their examples of hard work and integrity live on with me - in my heart.

There is a road from the eye to heart that does
not go through the intellect. ~ Gilbert K. Chesterton

This week in the US is Valentine's Day. A lot of corny and overly sugary rhetoric will be strewn about regarding the heart.

But unlike the popular TV ad of "what's in your wallet" regarding how to go into debt to buy stuff, think instead about what's in your heart?

Forgiving, letting go, and allowing other people's poison to be washed down the drain is a great relief.

Loving, accepting, and allowing people in is very uplifting, empowering, and rejuvenating.

So, ask yourself the question,

"What's in My Heart?"