LEADING WITH THE HEART

Did you know that February is Heart Month?

Most of us simply associate it with Valentines Day, but long before and even after the 14^th of February, we should consider leading with our hearts. So let me ask you. How able are you to live or lead with your heart? To some this is a freighting concept. Still others would remind us that the heart is for pumping blood and not to be listened to or to be lead by, and to some degree I would agree. Still I have known times when I was free enough, or shall I say brave enough to lead with my heart.

So what does it mean to lead with the heart? And how is it done?Well, in traditional Chinese medicine the heart is considered the benevolent ruling organ of the body. It is said to be the seat of connection between the body and the mind and is a direct influence on one’s decision-making and clarity of perception. In doing research for this piece I was pleased to find the Institute of HeartMath in Boulder Creek, California. A place that teaches you to rely on the intelligence of the heart. Their research shows that the brain is an extension of the heart and that the heart has its own intelligence, that half the cells in the heart are neurons, or nerve cells, the same type of cells that are in our brain. The heart doesn't even need to be connected to the brain in order to beat, as demonstrated in heart transplants.

The research at the Institute of HeartMath has demonstrated that when we activate our heart-intelligence and manage our mind and emotions, we achieve what is called “energy efficiency, increased coherence, enhanced awareness and greater productivity.”

Still in what I suspect is an effort to protect ourselves, many of us attempt to think our way through life’s situations and challenges. Leaving the prompting of the heart completely out of the equation, and thereby potentially creating more challenging situations.

I know that when we are caught up in our emotions or our thinking, it is difficult to be so with out remembering all the past disappointments, as emotional experiences in life become imprinted in our brain cells and memory. Let us say for example, someone questions you about a certain choice you‘ve made, your emotional brain kicks in causing you to feel judged. You might act defensively outwardly or you may turn the feelings inward with a sense of anger, shame or unworthiness. The brain then becomes bogged down with all the outdated memories which can create stress and compromise your responses and your relationships, essentially ruling your life.

Yes, even I have said that the past is indicative of the future, but what if I’m wrong? What if it is not. What if the future is just that? The future, something that has yet to happen, something that can be created, and created beautifully if lead by the heart!

I suspect it takes an amount of trust, trust in one’s self. And if you are like many, caught up in self doubt and blame, this is difficult or next to impossible. But, in this month of the heart and Valentines Day, I am challenging you to trust your heart to lead you. In every situation check your heart. And I suspect that you will find, if you allow yourself to lead with the heart, a loving solution. For love is the first thing that comes to heart and if we acted out of love versus fear, versus pain and old wounds then, we are living in the intelligence that the heart offers. The heart creates a more impartial state. Defusing disharmony and transforming a seemingly negative situation, so that we may gain clarity. This gives us a chance to lead from the heart and to act from a place of harmony rather than discord. Because the heart doesn't solve problems, it dissolves problems and frees us from the delusion that righting wrongs will bring justice.

So you see this is what I know so far, or what I’m learning;

When we focus on positive emotions of love and appreciation, we increase order and balance not just in our bodies but in our universe. Leading with the heart means balancing and managing emotions and letting go the thoughts and perceptions based in fear, lack and limitation. It also means trusting the heart and evoking feelings of love and compassion. As is said in the Bible, “For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he.”