Everyone faces challenges during their life, from suffering the death of a loved one to being laid off from a job. But the challenges themselves aren't holding you back; rather, it's how you react to the challenges that determine your ultimate success and happiness.
When faced with any challenge, you can react one of two ways: with your mind or with your heart. And if you're like most people, you are much more attuned to your mind than to your heart. In fact, you probably seldom think about your heart, unless you feel it pounding as a result of exercise.
Because the mind is primarily a reactive system, it is driven by the ego's need for power, control, and approval. As such, it reacts impatiently to challenges and then justifies any rash actions by turning to logic and reason. The heart, on the other hand, is driven by spiritual concerns. It seeks connectedness, self-expression, and fulfillment of your deepest needs. When a challenge arises, the heart "feels" for the right course of action based on your body's needs.
When you listen to your heart and draw upon its energy, you develop an inner strength that guides you and sustains you through any challenge. Use the following suggestions to develop your heart connection.
1. Get to know your heart
Getting to know your heart is the first step to overcoming a challenge. When you are in tune with your heart, you understand who you really are, what you love, and what your life's mission is all about. Most likely you are already familiar with your physical heart. It beats wildly when you get excited and pounds when you're scared. But to get connected with your spiritual heart, you must be willing to look deep within yourself and challenge your own beliefs. Only then will your heart give you the energy to persevere through challenges.
The following questions will get you started toward identifying the path that will help you overcome your challenge. As you consider these questions, other questions may present themselves to you that will further stretch your thinking.
¨ What makes you feel connected to your heart (some people refer to this as feeling "spiritual")?
¨ What does happiness mean to you?
¨ When do you experience connectedness?
¨ Which activities make you lose track of time?
¨ How have your life aspirations changed over the years?
¨ What life events have prompted your emotional growth?
When you truthfully answer these questions, you'll develop a deeper connection to your heart and a greater understanding of what you must do in the face of adversity.
2. Tap into your heart's intelligence Your heart has an intelligence all its own. We all think, speak, and reason with our heart, especially when facing a challenge. We also rely on our heart's intelligence whenever we make an important decision. For example, no matter how carefully you may weigh all the options, ultimately something serves to make you decide one way or another. In most cases, this is your heart speaking, giving you the "feeling" that you should do one thing rather than another. So whether you realize this or not, you consult with your heart every day as to the wisdom of the choices you need to make.
Your heart's intelligence is very different from your mind's intelligence. The mind seeks victories; the heart seeks solutions. The mind is judgmental; the heart is forgiving. Material matters drive the mind; values drive the heart.
To discover your heart's intelligence, you must consciously choose to silence all the other voices that are seeking your attention. These voices are the voice of power, the voice of control, and the voice of achievement ? all the voices of the mind. Sit quietly and think about your challenge as you focus on the voice of your heart ? the voice that connects you to silence, to inspiration, to comfort, to peace, to contentment, and to love and meaning. As you hear the answers your heart gives you, your mind will silence and the challenge's resolution will be obvious.
3. Create an "island of peace"
Some people view a strong heart connection as having peace of mind. But how do you achieve peace of mind in a world that's in constant motion, endless activity, and pressed by demands and expectations? The solution lies in the interruption of our daily activities with "islands of peace." These are moments when we let go of stress and regenerate ourselves physically, emotionally, and spiritually. It's during these times that we can better hear our heart and understand its message to us.
One way to create an island of peace is through meditation. Because we are constantly entertaining so many thoughts, feelings, and emotions, especially during difficult time, we need a way to quiet our mind so we can hear our heart. When we meditate, we are able to discover a silence within. It is this silence between thoughts where we often find the solution to whatever challenge is before us.
There are various meditation techniques. One is to observe your breathing and be mindful of it, because breathing and mental activity go hand in hand. When you are excited, you breathe fast. When you are relaxed, you breathe slowly. So just observing your breathing quiets your mind and allows your heart to speak. Another technique is using a mantra, which means "instrument of the mind." A mantra is a word that, when repeated in your mind, leads to the same quieting of the voices. It disconnects you from the constant desire to be active and alert. Meditating helps you discover an inner peace that re-energizes you, enabling you to tackle any challenge that comes your way.
Your Heart's Strength
When we experience a challenge, the way to handle it is to take refuge in our heart ? to be aware that we have a safe place where we can analyze the problem without being overwhelmed by it. If we gain this sense of detachment from the challenge, we can gain control over it. So whenever you are facing a challenge, connect with your heart. It will give you the support and guidance you need to overcome your obstacles, continue in life, and achieve your dreams.
© Copyright 2004 Bruno Cortis, M.D.
Bruno Cortis, M.D., is a cardiologist with a major interest in Spirituality and Health. He authored two books, The Spiritual Heart and also Heart & Soul. He is a member of NSA, Illinois Chapter and he delivers speeches and seminars across North America. You can visit Dr. Cortis at http://www.BrunoCortis.com or e-mail him at DrCortis@BrunoCortis.com. His telephone number is 708-366-0117.
One of the most well known books ever written on... Read More
Almost everyone experiences some form of worry one time or... Read More
When you have a case of FABS, it may be... Read More
INNER CRITIC UNVEILED! Part 2: AFFIRMATIONS TO THE RESCUE!"Almost everybody... Read More
Q: I seem to beat myself before I ever get... Read More
Positive self-esteem is very important if not crucial to our... Read More
They're out there? they look like people you know, but... Read More
Distortions are False Beliefs Programmed every Day by Self and... Read More
In many ways the Star War movies are simply a... Read More
It really doesn't matter what your objectives are in this... Read More
Ever witnessed an incident that needed to be reported to... Read More
When I was little I was very busy--as I imagine... Read More
Ever had a problem with doubts? Ever felt that nagging... Read More
When you look at your future in terms of your... Read More
In the international bestseller, Blink, Malcolm Gladwell explains how researchers... Read More
Need a way to make your life a better place... Read More
Many people would say that it is absolute madness to... Read More
It started out as a windy, rainy day. A tropical... Read More
The image you hold of yourself determines your success or... Read More
In frustration it's easy to jump to false conclusions that... Read More
Normally I race around multitasking. I am always thinking about... Read More
Unhappy moods can be like comfortable sweaters, those old ones:... Read More
Looking around at our circumstances we may see only mountains... Read More
Changing your mindset can have a significant impact on achieving... Read More
Quote of the week:"Of all the attitudes we can acquire,... Read More
Since the beginning of human history we have been living... Read More
Some people are full of confidence and able to meet... Read More
Every day something changes at work: your products, your customers,... Read More
Do you realize how good you have it? Yes, everyone... Read More
The invisible force surrounded him, squeezing tightly around his chest.... Read More
Why do we really need the experiences that we have... Read More
Lately, there has been a collective challenge to avoid being... Read More
John Ryder awakens feeling rested, refreshed, and sensing a calm... Read More
The hardest part of success is the **courage** you need... Read More
Smart folk have always realised how vital it is to... Read More
Decades ago, I saw a metaphysical movie that wonderfully illustrates... Read More
We are all involved in this game called life and... Read More
Most of us love to think that our problems are... Read More
Quote of the week:"Of all the attitudes we can acquire,... Read More
Life can be downright scary - sometimes more than others.... Read More
Why do patients who are given placebo pills report that... Read More
Have you heard of the FABS? The FABS are quadruplets;... Read More
An affirmation is a positive assertion, a solemn declaration, a... Read More
We all have a unique way of communicating our story,... Read More
Most of us start the day like we're trying to... Read More
Many people find it extremely difficult to be assertive, whether... Read More
You got up today to go to work, to come... Read More
You are the only one that can give confidence to... Read More
Looking around at our circumstances we may see only mountains... Read More
In frustration it's easy to jump to false conclusions that... Read More
I believe that one of the best ways to stay... Read More
That strange, gut-wrenching feeling you have is not the sushi... Read More
(The following is an actual email conversation between Newton Hightower,... Read More
This is a technique that sounds a bit silly when... Read More
During these times of uncertainty in the outside world, look... Read More
What does it take to succeed? How can you move... Read More
John Ryder awakens feeling rested, refreshed, and sensing a calm... Read More
Thousands of dollars will be yours, just by using your... Read More
Philippians 4:6-do not be anxious about anything, but in everything,... Read More
How do you explain things to yourself? With positive self... Read More
How would your life shift if you moved into what... Read More
I am an educator as well as a coach and... Read More
Speaking comes to most people as naturally as breathing. On... Read More
Water is an important tool for magic rituals in many... Read More
The invisible force surrounded him, squeezing tightly around his chest.... Read More
In talking with a coaching client recently, she made a... Read More
Positive Attitude Tips |