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 http://www.brunocortis.com. His telephone number is 708-366-0117.
best cleaning company Lincolnshire ..For some reason, most people find it easier to think... Read More
You've probably heard this idea at one time or another.... Read More
It started out as a windy, rainy day. A tropical... Read More
There are times in all of our lives where our... Read More
Think for a moment about all of the signals people... Read More
Empty, Hollow, Nothing?.those words shout the sound of disappointment and... Read More
When you change your thoughts, you change your life. The... Read More
I went online -- and what do I see? A... Read More
They're out there? they look like people you know, but... Read More
One of the most well known books ever written on... Read More
"Work on your career and you'll make a living. Work... Read More
Want to improve your personal performance? Positive self-talk can help.Edward... Read More
Does the thought of failure send a cold shiver down... Read More
"Putting ourselves down, is an insult to our worth." --Helen... Read More
Thousands of dollars will be yours, just by using your... Read More
Many people don't really understand the gift they have been... Read More
"Every prayer - every thought, every statement, every feeling -is... Read More
An affirmation is a positive assertion, a solemn declaration, a... Read More
Looking around at our circumstances we may see only mountains... Read More
Imagine the what you could achieve if:You were 100 %... Read More
The late Norman Vincent Peale was a controversial preacher who... Read More
"A person is limited only by the thoughts that he... Read More
I am an educator as well as a coach and... Read More
? If it takes me to periphery (Drifted into continuous... Read More
Getting motivated is sometimes easy enough to do, at least... Read More
on demand house cleaning Lake Forest ..Aging is a matter of the mind.The years may creep... Read More
Have you heard of the FABS? The FABS are quadruplets;... Read More
I'm often asked how it is that I stay so... Read More
Well you know about the young hero who saved his... Read More
Distortions are False Beliefs Programmed every Day by Self and... Read More
Know your limits. Accept what you can't change and let... Read More
"If you don't enjoy getting up and working and finishing... Read More
Apart form the Emotions and the attitude, Anger is a... Read More
Near the end of December 2004, I received an email... Read More
Have you ever dreaded an upcoming presentation, meeting or function... Read More
"The other night I ate at a real family restaurant.... Read More
So...you might just believe I hide behind computers creating and... Read More
For some reason, most people find it easier to think... Read More
The summer I was 20 years old, I worked as... Read More
Improving this single attitude makes your days fly by. You... Read More
Need a way to make your life a better place... Read More
I believe that one of the best ways to stay... Read More
As I walked my dogs recently on what "should" have... Read More
Bernard always had a problem with money.He was always lacking... Read More
Can you do something for me?Tell me?Please don't think tomorrow.What?Yeah,... Read More
I've yet to meet the person who never struggles with... Read More
Byron and I started our first business full of enthusiasm... Read More
This is a technique that sounds a bit silly when... Read More
I went online -- and what do I see? A... Read More
"You can't always get what you want . . ."... Read More
Positive Attitude Tips |