From Head to Heart

Amid the hustle and bustle of my daily grind, I find myself lost in the chaos of ceaseless thoughts and lofty ambitions. Join me on this raw and real mindfulness blog as I peel back the layers of my ongoing journey of self-discovery, pondering a question that echoes within:

What is my word, and why?

Let's walk together along the winding path from the complexities of my mind to the serenity of my heart.

The Head – Navigating the Maze of My Thoughts

As I dive into the tangled mess within my head, I confront a web of thoughts and concerns. Quieting the noise and seeking clarity is a challenge I struggle with daily. I find myself pondering not just the surface-level questions but delving into the depths of my past – my upbringing, relationships, the good, the bad, and the ugly. Why am I the way I am? Why do I tend to be more reserved, perhaps perceived as "colder" than most?

This blog, a step in my self-discovery journey, prompts me to contemplate the idea of sharing my truth. Immediately, my head says, "NO WAY!" What will everyone think? However, with each passing year, I find myself caring less about external judgments – except when it comes to matters of the heart. I struggle to let go. Deep down, I recognize that the only way to overcome this lingering "trauma" is to open up, share my stories, and lay it all bare.

In my heart, I understand that those who stay after hearing my unfiltered truth are truly "my people." They intentionally deserve a seat at my table. As for those who don't resonate with my journey, perhaps they were a significant factor in the need for this introspective blog in the first place. It's a revelation that's dawning on me – the willingness to be vulnerable and authentic is the key to filtering those who genuinely belong in my life from those who don't.

The Heart – Embracing My Feelings

Steering my attention towards my heart, where emotions and gut feelings reside, I find myself contemplating the enigmatic sense of intuition we often refer to as the "gut feeling." Is this sensation a true manifestation of our intuition guiding us? Trusting the heart in the midst of the head's playful interference becomes much like walking a tightrope. How can we gracefully navigate this intricate dance between feelings and thoughts?

And then, the pondering deepens. Does this mean the heart ultimately overrules the mind? What if we could feel with our minds and think with our hearts? The thought takes us into deep waters, but let's entertain it for a moment. Consider the impact of allowing our thoughts to shape our reality. It's a profound exploration into the dynamic interplay between our mental and emotional realms. Yikes, things got a little deep there for a second, but seriously, reflecting on how our thoughts manifest into reality prompts a pause for introspection.

My Word – A Guiding Light for Intentions

Heading from the head to the heart means finding your mojo, your intention. So, what's your word? Mine? "Empathy," with an extra sprinkle of "self-empathy." What's that? It's not just about feeling for others but showing yourself the same love. I figured, why not cut myself some slack, be my own cheerleader, and genuinely tune in to what's happening inside. It's a personal revolution, starting with a bit more grace for yours truly. Time to ditch the harsh self-judgment and make this self-empathy thing an everyday affair.

Wrapping Up My Heartfelt Share

So, as I took this little journey, digging into the core of who I am, peeling off life's layers. Guess what I found? "Empathy." Not just a word but a bit like my north star, you know?

During my morning mindfulness meditation and yoga, I consciously bring this word into focus. It subtly shapes how I navigate life—the choices I make, the decisions I mull over, and how I handle things. It's my anchor, providing sanity when everything feels a bit chaotic. "Empathy" is like my companion, influencing connections, fueling intentions, and adding vibrant strokes to my well-being canvas.

But here's the kicker—I noticed a pattern. As a total people-pleaser, my brain often gets stuck in overdrive, always prioritizing others. Time for a change. This realization sparked a new mission—a quest for inner balance, a journey to cut myself some slack and ease up on past self-criticism.

It's an ongoing discovery, you know? Something I'll delve deeper into in the coming months. Because, honestly, isn't life just about figuring out who we are as we go along?

So, therefore, my new word is: "SELF EMPATHY"—something I realize I desperately need. Giving myself more grace is the goal. The past doesn't define me, nor is it responsible for my everyday choices. However, I am living proof that without empathy for myself, expecting it from others becomes an uphill battle. It wouldn't be fair to be a profound empath, loving everyone else deeply, yet struggling to extend that same kindness and understanding to myself. It's time to change that narrative and embrace self-compassion on this ongoing journey of self-discovery.

What is your word?

To be continued...