A week ago, I took myself for a walk at a nearby
greenway to break up the routine of walking in my neighborhood. The leaves are changing and falling like delicate confetti, offering a delightful bouquet of gifts on the ground for all who pass by.
A few trees in
particular grabbed my attention because of their heart-shaped leaves. Each leaf was unique. Just like us, no two are alike. The saying came to mind, “Have a heart!” We say that to each other as encouragement to offer grace, particularly when it may be a challenge, or not our first instinct. Seeing the heart-shaped leaves felt like a big hug on that particular day. I chose to believe that nature was saying, “Here love, have a heart, or two, or three. I have them in abundance and am happy to
share.”
Close by on the same path, I noticed a big leaf that was folded up, flattened and pressed into the dirt. Its original shape was unrecognizable, but I had a hunch it could be a heart. I worried that it would be too
brittle and would break as I tried to unfold it, but it had enough moisture to still be malleable.
With a gentle touch, I unfolded it and discovered a heart-shaped leaf. Using my finger, I traced a heart around it in the
dirt so it could be enjoyed by others who pass by. (See video posted yesterday in our FTG Readers Group.) With a little TLC, this heart had something to offer again. When we touch a life by giving someone a little care and attention, we never know how far the ripple effect will reach.
Life roughs us up, but as long as we are breathing, we’re never so far gone that we cannot be changed by loving kindness, which is why the heart-shaped leaves meant so much to me on that particular day. Not long before that, I had had a difficult encounter
with someone that I love and my heart felt bruised. I had done all the things I know to do to access comfort and seek peace, and still, my heart was achy.
This lasted a few days, though my feelings were kept hidden from
most people. When I went to get groceries, no one could tell I was sad and experiencing grief. When I walked to the mailbox and waved hello to a neighbor, they would have only seen my smile, not my bruised heart. A few people knew, and I’m better now, but my point is that many of you have tender places the rest of us can’t see. These last few years have been unusually challenging, and many people have experienced suffering ... are experiencing suffering.
If this describes where you’re at today, I want you to know that I see you. I feel for you. I embrace you with a spiritual hug and offer you a piece of my heart, as I share the images of the hearts I captured on my walk. You are loved, cared for and
not alone.
These heart-shaped leaves can remind us all that when we’re receptive, we will find hearts along the way to bring comfort to our journeys. As we receive from others, our spirits find renewal. Soon, we are able
to spread love and care as well.
May we each find the comfort we need today and may we pay it forward, asking, “Who can I have a heart for today?” Stay on the lookout for someone in need, even if it’s just a smile or a
nod. Everyone can use more heart.
