Dear Reader,
When your heart is open, you know it. But when your heart is closed…
There’s a good chance you don’t have a clue.
How could that be? Is it so rare for us to go forward in life with an open heart? Is it so common for our heart to be guarded and closed that we become numb to it, unaware?
That’s a scary thought, but entirely possible. Think back to your childhood, as far back as you can remember. Can you recall times when your heart was wide open – just because? You felt, and loved, and looked to the world eagerly for new mysteries to explore.
I bet you can remember at least a few of those moments.
You can also probably remember times when you were rejected, or hurt, or at least you felt that way based on another’s actions, regardless of their intentions. Maybe it only took one of those times, or a few, or several, before you started to protect your heart. You began waiting to feel safe first, before opening it again.
That protective layering may have built up over time, without you even realizing it.
It can happen easily.
Well, I have some good news. You can still cultivate an open heart, despite any protective layering. No matter what has happened in your past, and no matter what is going on in your life right now, you can always open your heart.
Here’s how.
Focus on one thing you can love. Whether it is a person, a pet, a book, an idea, or a sunset, just find one thing, and love it fully. Allow yourself to really feel it.
Then, find another thing to love. A blade of grass, your own eyes, that joyful way you rushed to the corner store to buy the latest comic books when you were a kid. Allow yourself to really feel it.
Then, find another thing to love.
And keep going.
There is so much to love in this world, and within you. One thing at a time, one moment at a time, one person at a time, one look in the mirror at a time, you can open your heart.
Why does this approach work?
It connects you with the love that is always, always, always within you, simply waiting to come out. The love is not dependent on any one of those things you find to love; they only help you reconnect with what was there all along. Love, after all, is who you are.
Today, pick one thing to love, allow yourself to feel it, deeply, and you will be on your way.
I honor your loving heart,
John
A timely reminder John for me and many I’m sure. Opening up your heart can feel a bit scary, as especially as you say, you build up protection from past hurts, intentionally or not.
I feel a bit of restriction in my heart area sometimes and breathe info it. I visualise pink coming in and old hurts breathing out, for instance.
Today i picked the Open your heart to love, from Doreen Virtue’s deck. I pick a card daily.
I reached for my rose quartz crystal and held it on my heart for quite some time, feeling the warmth coming from it and, i repeated “I am loving myself more and more”
It felt really good.
I think your post is a very important one and we need to remember to love ourselves as well as the to receive that love back. It takes courage sometimes.
Thank you for your suggestions in your post.
My granddaughter came to mind immediately when thinking of someone i loved. I felt my heart opening.
Much love to you John.
Thank you Pamela. It’s always good to get your comments, and much love to you too! Feelings tell us so much about what is happening with our heart. There are many ways to help it open; I particularly like the one you share about thinking of your granddaughter. I also love that you picked the Open Your Heart to Love card!