Why You Should Open Your Heart

by Amy Adams

If you have been hurt or disappointed in life by any event, experience, person, place or thing, you might have laid a few bricks and have begun to build a wall around your heart. Through the years, you might've even built an entire wall or maybe even a fortress. Or maybe, you built a wall then knocked that wall down and rebuilt it a few times. On the other hand, you might be a person who continually exposes themselves without any protection. Maybe you trust too much or surrender your own self in service of others not out of duty but as a way to feel like you are worthy of love. Whatever state of being your heart is in, either way, we can strive for balance in our relationships with others and ourselves.

When we open our heart we not only make ourselves vulnerable, we allow ourselves to receive all the gifts the universe has to offer. Opening our hearts can be very uncomfortable, it can be confronting and that's exactly why we need to do it. It is part of our own self-discovery. We can dig deep into our own psyche's through journaling, meditation and other methods and means, but we can dig deep simply by interacting with others through relationship. Of course, relationships are not limited to those who are in a committed, romantic relationship — it’s for anyone who is in a relationship with someone they care about, whether it’s a best friend, sibling, parent, child, business partner, mentor, any other loved one and even yourself.

While relationships can be such a rewarding place of intimacy, delight and love, it’s also true that they can trigger us to shut down our hearts. This is a constant struggle for many people, and also the place of potential for our biggest personal growth.

- Leo Babuta

Open Your Heart: Action & Reflections

What would it be like to open up your heart instead of shutting down? What would it be like to notice your narratives and step beyond them into growth, into real connection? Here are a few ways you can work on your relationships:

Noticing the emotions and inner narratives that come up for us in relation to the other person. Practicing keeping our hearts open, even during times of stress. Practicing praise & gratitude. Practicing giving the love we want to receive.

Through these actions and reflections, we can learn from one another, grow together and stay connected. If you find that the walls have become mighty, decide to knock them down one brick at a time.