What Happens When We Give Our Heart Away?

Photo Credit: aussieg/Creative Commons

Do you wear your heart on your sleeve like I do? Do you find yourself an emotional wreck after a Hallmark commercial? Do babies, puppies, and acts of kindness leave you misty-eyed?

Wonderful! I’m so glad I’m not alone.

For those of us who feel things deeply, there’s the tendency to let our hearts overrule our heads. We’re sensitive. We’re people-pleasers. We want everything to turn out okay.

In the broader sense, we understand the need to wear our hearts close to our vests because it’s safe there. It’s not as risky. We can’t get hurt.

Realistically, however, folks who wear their hearts on their sleeves have the tendency to know and do anyway.

Why?

Well, because we can’t help ourselves!

We live life as givers, and of course, it hurts when we come across “the takers” or those who wring every ounce of happiness from our soul without offering any in return. Granted, it’s always better to give than to receive, but where optimism, a kind word, or heartfelt gestures are concerned, I believe the process should be reciprocal. In a perfect world, that is.

I had an interesting encounter several months ago.

(For the sake of privacy, I’ll be vague.) A friend and I were having a conversation about the writing process when a nearby acquaintance chimed in on the subject. It was obvious this person had an agenda. She was rude, discouraging, and ego-driven. Her comments to my friend were not helpful in any way, and clearly, her sentiments left both of us confused.

There was no reason for this behavior and I was a bit unhinged by it. I could have reacted with the same negativism she had, but instead, I remained positive, upbeat, and focused. This acquaintance was certainly entitled to her opinions, just as my friend and I were entitled to ours.

I believe what fueled this person’s attitude was fear.

She didn’t know how to channel her own insecurities, so she handled people the same way she did her feelings: with lukewarm detachment, guaranteed to keep folks and feelings at an arm’s length. She didn’t have to worry about giving her heart away. The invisible “Do Not Enter” sign couldn’t have been more obvious.

What I wanted to tell her was this:

• Don’t be so afraid! You’re valued. You matter. We won’t think less of you if you’re not perfect. In fact, we’ll be relieved because we’re not either.
• Stop the melodrama. It’s unattractive. Receptive hearts are 10 times happier than hardened mindsets.
• Drop the façade. Self-esteem is healthy…to a point. An inflated ego is a tragedy.
• We’d like to like you. Really. Please rise to the occasion and give us the chance.

When we give of ourselves, we’re opening the door to God’s greatest blessings. And as we’re blessed with His heavenly provisions, we can in turn bless others. Isn’t it awesome how that works?!

We give our heart away and He hands it back even better than it was before.

Rescued.

Rejuvenated.

Restored.

******

Has there ever been a time you were afraid to give your heart away?

How can we help others who live in fear?

Photo Credit: aussieg/Creative Commons

Blessings Always,