Live in the heart. Such a simple little phrase. It is human nature to think, analyze, review, and repeat. We often spend so much time thinking, dreaming, and worrying that we never rest. To live in the heart is to just be. To find peace one must stop living in their head. To find happiness one must follow their heart. Following the heart has little to do with romantic love, although it has its place. When one follows their heart they follow their passion, their instinct, something that pulls them forward from the bottom of their soul. I remember as a child I wanted to make movies. The pull was so strong that it was painful. The idea that something painful can be good for you is a foreign concept to many. To want something so much with no thought is as basic as it gets.
I look at it more as a need. To survive we need food, water, and shelter from the elements. To thrive we need something to live for. Some live for family others for work and still more live for pleasure. What ever your motivator the best way to achieve happiness in the pursuit of it is to take time to do absolutely nothing. Americans are especially guilty of living in their heads. They work themselves to death. They over schedule their lives and their childrens lives. We spend so much time trying to get every last drop out of life that we never enjoy the moment.
Other cultures take time to relax. Some cultures indulge in long holidays. Other cultures take long breaks every afternoon. It is in those moments that we discover ourselves and what makes us happy. Take time to just do nothing and sit quiet with your heart. I specify heart because to sit quiet with your mind can be an exhausting experience. There is a time and place for sitting with your thoughts as some brilliant ideas have been born of quiet reflection. This exercise is about the pursuit of happiness not dreams. What makes you happy. What makes you smile. What makes your heart swell and your body tingle. Is it a hobby, a passion, a person: what motivates you to get out of bed in the morning. Is there something or someone that you feel one with. Something so big yet so basic living without it would be like living without air. I have a friend who is a writer. Writing is like breathing for him. He may not write a thing for 6 months, but then one day a story pours out of him and his friends and family will not see him for 6 weeks. He can not stop it no more then he can stop breathing. Another friend builds things and works much the same way. When he begins a project from the moment he envisions it until the final nail is hit he can not stop.
They both spent the first half of their lives working 9-5 and going through the motions of life like so many others. It was not until a tragedy fell upon them that they stopped and just listened to their hearts and let that be their guide. Many refer to this as a midlife crisis, or a second life, what ever you call it if you are in it at this very moment then stop. Take a moment to empty your mind, feel your heart, and truly listen to what it is telling you. Who or what is pulling you down your new path. Let your heart guide you to those who will support your new life and let go of those who expect you to do as you have always done.
I look at it more as a need. To survive we need food, water, and shelter from the elements. To thrive we need something to live for. Some live for family others for work and still more live for pleasure. What ever your motivator the best way to achieve happiness in the pursuit of it is to take time to do absolutely nothing. Americans are especially guilty of living in their heads. They work themselves to death. They over schedule their lives and their childrens lives. We spend so much time trying to get every last drop out of life that we never enjoy the moment.
Other cultures take time to relax. Some cultures indulge in long holidays. Other cultures take long breaks every afternoon. It is in those moments that we discover ourselves and what makes us happy. Take time to just do nothing and sit quiet with your heart. I specify heart because to sit quiet with your mind can be an exhausting experience. There is a time and place for sitting with your thoughts as some brilliant ideas have been born of quiet reflection. This exercise is about the pursuit of happiness not dreams. What makes you happy. What makes you smile. What makes your heart swell and your body tingle. Is it a hobby, a passion, a person: what motivates you to get out of bed in the morning. Is there something or someone that you feel one with. Something so big yet so basic living without it would be like living without air. I have a friend who is a writer. Writing is like breathing for him. He may not write a thing for 6 months, but then one day a story pours out of him and his friends and family will not see him for 6 weeks. He can not stop it no more then he can stop breathing. Another friend builds things and works much the same way. When he begins a project from the moment he envisions it until the final nail is hit he can not stop.
They both spent the first half of their lives working 9-5 and going through the motions of life like so many others. It was not until a tragedy fell upon them that they stopped and just listened to their hearts and let that be their guide. Many refer to this as a midlife crisis, or a second life, what ever you call it if you are in it at this very moment then stop. Take a moment to empty your mind, feel your heart, and truly listen to what it is telling you. Who or what is pulling you down your new path. Let your heart guide you to those who will support your new life and let go of those who expect you to do as you have always done.
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