H is for Heart #atozchalleng by Conlee Ricketts

is for Heart

Today I will focus on the center of my chest.  That fist sized beating heart that feels as though its purpose is so much more than a pumping system.

Pay close attention to all the feelings in your chest today.  Whenever you can place your attention there choose an image that makes you smile.  Imagine a rose blossom—any color—opening as in time lapse photography.  Imagine blue-green fairy dust falling into a beautiful leaf—can you tell I watch a lot of Tinker Bell movies with my daughter?  Or you could imagine two hands gently holding your heart as it glows a beautiful color of your choosing.  Whatever color lights up in your imagination is just fine.  I’m sure you can think of an image that will redirect your focus to the center of your chest.  You're attempting to just notice your heart and pull away from all the mind chatter that distracts you. 

The heart is an amazing organ.  I have felt the pain of my heart breaking from sadness, despair, and disappointment, but I have also felt my heart swell from the joy of pride, love, or amazement.

Does my physical heart literally swell or break—no—but to seemingly feel those sensations is certainly experience enough to warrant my respect, tenderness, and attention for the day.

My wonderful heart also warns me of my tendency to live in a place of fear.  I will feel a nervous fluttering that most folks would consider to be panic.  That feeling used to scare the shit out of me, but now I use it as a reminder that there is a distinct possibility that my imagination has run away with me again.  My imagination enjoys taking me on “worst case scenario” adventures.  Lately when my heart pulls this "warning" I try to pause, breathe, and reconsider the nervous thoughts flying through my head and remember that not one single “worst case” imaginings has ever actually happened as bad as I played it out in my head.

Place focus today on the power of your heart.  It's a beautiful messenger of sorrow, warning, reality check, and love.

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