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I wonder what would change if we stopped thinking of our hearts as broken?

Posted: Thu, May 9, 2019
I’ve caught myself saying “Life is heartbreaking” and “My heart is broken.” I wonder what would change if we stopped thinking of our hearts as broken? What if our hearts are working just fine? The sorrow and despair, the grief and anger, the fear and sadness – all of it simply means our hearts are [...]

Rev. Dr. Steven Koski

I’ve caught myself saying “Life is heartbreaking” and “My heart is broken.” I wonder what would change if we stopped thinking of our hearts as broken? What if our hearts are working just fine? The sorrow and despair, the grief and anger, the fear and sadness – all of it simply means our hearts are doing their work. Our hearts are doing what they are supposed to be doing. Feeling. Let it.
The poet Rumi wrote,
“This being human is a guest house.
Every morning a new arrival.
joy, a depression, a meanness, some momentary awareness comes as an unexpected visitor.
Welcome and entertain them all!
Even if they are a crowd of sorrows, who violently sweep your house empty of its furniture.
Still, treat each guest honorably.
He may be clearing you out for some new delight.
The dark thoughts, the shame, the malice, meet them at the door laughing and invite them in.
Be grateful for whoever comes, because each has been sent as a guide from beyond.”
What if we stopped avoiding or judging those inner guests that make is uncomfortable? What if we were curious about the gifts they bring? The dark angels that show up as guests during the dark nights of our souls can be the most demanding and helpful teachers we will ever know.
Imagine tenderly holding both your grief and your gratitude in your heart today and allowing yourself to be stretched large by both.