I just want to say, it’s not that no one cares when you use your heart. I read that story and it’s stayed with me. Maybe the response was just different, because words weren’t an adequate way to respond.
What you said about the difference between the head and the heart is true. It’s tough when you put your heart out there and don’t get much response, but when you stick to what’s expected, people pay attention. Maybe surrender is about trusting yourself enough to keep sharing what feels real, even if the reaction isn’t what you hoped for. Thanks for being real about all of this. I guess it’s not a one-time thing but more of a constant back-and-forth, which makes it interesting.
Look forward to reading more as you figure it out. Great share, as always :).
Agree with Ali Wilson on the no response to your fictional stories, Bruce. They didn't move me to "make my point" (head) but they did move me to respond internally (heart). Less reaction more reflection. In this post, however, I am sharing my reaction, I guess!
I appreciate your honest sharing, Bruce. For me, when acceptance (or anything really) feels hard, I ask myself what is behind the word "hard?" Does it mean I give up? Does it mean I push through? Does it mean I whine and complain from a state of victimhood where life is happening to me and not for me? Or can I accept that this is where I am right now regardless of my plans and desires? And can I go even deeper to find the wisdom in the moment?
I put up my online course over a year and a half ago and have since been sick in bed with mold toxicity. Not what I planned. But each day I day I do what I can [not looking for pity here, just stating the facts]. And I created a daily affirmation that includes the line, "I honor the journey that brought me here. None of it was wasted. All of it was the becoming."
"I use my heart, and no one cares; I use my head, and people respond." - What a great line, and so often true. My experience has been that while people may not respond, it doesn't mean your words aren't having an impact. When you follow your heart, you are doing something deeply courageous, radical even, and that is confronting for a lot of people. It holds up a mirror, asking them to question their own choices. It's easy to tell yourself the story that not everyone can do it, and to just skim over people who do when you come across them. But the real ones know, and, more importantly, YOU know what's possible with a little more fortitude. I just recently discovered your writing and am really enjoying it. Keep up the good work. :)
Bruce, your story resonates with me, mostly because it comes from your heart; it's raw and honest, not rote and formulaic, which is refreshing. It's said that the longest journey for anyone to take is the 18 inches from head to heart. For me, this has been toughest around my career.
I've been on a journey the last few years to become more present and less frustrated in life. To experience more joy. To become a better father. It's a deeply personal journey that it seems each person must travel in their own unique way.
What I've found that feels universal, though, is that our human, biological trait that has kept our species alive, is now, often, a huge liability when it comes to 'giving up'. This "survival instinct" is now protecting our ego and identity, which serves to keep us frozen: closed-minded, risk-averse, and comfort seeking.
Him and I are building a business around these ideas, but it's a head scratching process, partly because most people aren't willing to travel these paths; life's too comfortable to disrupt it in search of "something greater".
I'd be excited to speak to you more about my personal experience on a journey that sounds similar to the one you've shared. Who knows what may come from it--I've learned that not having expectations is part of the beauty!
I just want to say, it’s not that no one cares when you use your heart. I read that story and it’s stayed with me. Maybe the response was just different, because words weren’t an adequate way to respond.
Thank you, Ali, for sharing this.
What you said about the difference between the head and the heart is true. It’s tough when you put your heart out there and don’t get much response, but when you stick to what’s expected, people pay attention. Maybe surrender is about trusting yourself enough to keep sharing what feels real, even if the reaction isn’t what you hoped for. Thanks for being real about all of this. I guess it’s not a one-time thing but more of a constant back-and-forth, which makes it interesting.
Look forward to reading more as you figure it out. Great share, as always :).
I love what you wrote about trusting myself enough to keep sharing what feels real, even when the reaction disappoints me. Thank you.
Agree with Ali Wilson on the no response to your fictional stories, Bruce. They didn't move me to "make my point" (head) but they did move me to respond internally (heart). Less reaction more reflection. In this post, however, I am sharing my reaction, I guess!
I appreciate your honest sharing, Bruce. For me, when acceptance (or anything really) feels hard, I ask myself what is behind the word "hard?" Does it mean I give up? Does it mean I push through? Does it mean I whine and complain from a state of victimhood where life is happening to me and not for me? Or can I accept that this is where I am right now regardless of my plans and desires? And can I go even deeper to find the wisdom in the moment?
I put up my online course over a year and a half ago and have since been sick in bed with mold toxicity. Not what I planned. But each day I day I do what I can [not looking for pity here, just stating the facts]. And I created a daily affirmation that includes the line, "I honor the journey that brought me here. None of it was wasted. All of it was the becoming."
Thank you for your honest sharing as well, Linda. I send you healing energy (to the degree I know how to do that).
"I use my heart, and no one cares; I use my head, and people respond." - What a great line, and so often true. My experience has been that while people may not respond, it doesn't mean your words aren't having an impact. When you follow your heart, you are doing something deeply courageous, radical even, and that is confronting for a lot of people. It holds up a mirror, asking them to question their own choices. It's easy to tell yourself the story that not everyone can do it, and to just skim over people who do when you come across them. But the real ones know, and, more importantly, YOU know what's possible with a little more fortitude. I just recently discovered your writing and am really enjoying it. Keep up the good work. :)
Great thoughts, Sara, and quite helpful. I'm so glad you're here.
Bruce, your story resonates with me, mostly because it comes from your heart; it's raw and honest, not rote and formulaic, which is refreshing. It's said that the longest journey for anyone to take is the 18 inches from head to heart. For me, this has been toughest around my career.
I've been on a journey the last few years to become more present and less frustrated in life. To experience more joy. To become a better father. It's a deeply personal journey that it seems each person must travel in their own unique way.
What I've found that feels universal, though, is that our human, biological trait that has kept our species alive, is now, often, a huge liability when it comes to 'giving up'. This "survival instinct" is now protecting our ego and identity, which serves to keep us frozen: closed-minded, risk-averse, and comfort seeking.
Here's an article (of many) by my biz partner wrote that provides more information about our view of the problem you shared: https://synergisticintelligence.substack.com/p/giving-up-a-bad-thing
Him and I are building a business around these ideas, but it's a head scratching process, partly because most people aren't willing to travel these paths; life's too comfortable to disrupt it in search of "something greater".
I'd be excited to speak to you more about my personal experience on a journey that sounds similar to the one you've shared. Who knows what may come from it--I've learned that not having expectations is part of the beauty!
Alec, I read Stan's piece as well as your post, My Path to Purpose. Let me know when you have time next week to talk.
I spent a stretch of time in the '80s grabbing my pen first thing in the morning and letting it write. Ever since, it has been my guide. And it astonishes me even now when I read it, and see it says things I don't know. Or didn't know. https://mightycompanions.org/suzanne/inside-the-intelligence/INSIDE-THE-INTELLIGENCE.pdf