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February 2002 Living with Heart by Amy Lynn Frost & Lisa Cherney

"Its only through the heart that one can see clearly". —Glenda Green

We asked many people the question "What is it to live with heart?" People either had an answer immediately, or it brought up tremendous struggle for them to answer. Live with Heart means different things to different people. Everyone's heart and life journey's are different. Overall, people found it much easier to find examples of how to live with heart in their lives than in their work. These examples include different aspects of their lives from their work life, home life or spiritual life. Common Signs on the Path - For many to live with heart involves a deep VALUES commitment.

Here are some examples of the common paths on the life journey to live and work with heart. Knowing yourself is KEY.

Lisa: I used to be one of those people who was one person at work and another at home. It sure took a lot of energy. I had to constantly monitor myself at work, squelch input, edit questions, act excited or interested and just plain act—I wasn't even being me.

How can we live with heart when we are only using a part of us and we're numb from the neck down?
Linda: To live with heart is to live and work as your authentic self—you are the same person, use the same personality and character in both your work life and all the other lives you lead.

Other parts to live with heart are honesty, letting go of limiting beliefs, constantly forgiving and supporting yourself and others, letting go of judgment, living passionately, being aware of how your actions affect others, being empathic and compassionate, taking care of yourself and your self-esteem, living to your values and giving your best.

Its not always easy to walk the heart path.
Deb: I try to make people feel welcome, comfortable, and happy. Whether at work or home, I try and do my best everyday to be the example and live in the light. I said, "I try."

Gail: When I have been with toxic friends or in a job that gave me anxiety, I was not living or working with heart.

Fran: I have to be in touch with me in order to live my life with heart.
If I live with Heart, must I neglect my mind or logic? Be a critical thinker by using your mind as a tool, not the leader of your life. SLOW down so you can hear your heart. Joann: To live with heart, you have to slow down enough so the momentum can shift from head's thinking and planning, to heart's feeling and responding.

How can I keep aware?
Sharon Salzbert: With courage we openly acknowledge what we can't control, connect with the truth of the moment and move forward into the uncharted terrain of the next moment.

Some ways to stay in "Heart Integrity."
Robbie: Taking time to go within and listen—develop who it is you are. Also, be with others who have loving hearts.

Joann: I take three deep breaths to help me shift...When in the head, the focus is on "what if's" and "I should's"...Living and working with heart means being open to synchronistic happenings...allowing time in each day to take advantage of the wonder around us, of the joy present in each moment.

Kay Gilley, Author Leading from the Heart: I get relaxed, breathe deeply, and remember to peacefully ask for guidance in using the opportunity in front of my RIGHT NOW to serve my purpose in the world.

Judy: I love to provide tools and resources to help others achieve their goals! I am learning to watch and not do it for them—great lesson.

Rick: Never let an opportunity go by to impact another person's life—especially a child. Never do anything unless you know why you are doing it —then be at peace with yourself.

Linda: Each morning, I make a conscious decision to make a positive impact when the opportunity presents itself.

Day-to-Day Heart.

First, you need to live in your heart in YOUR life. Then, you can take externally driven heart actions. You can tell you are living with heart when you act and feel joyful with no expectations.

Kay: At Walmart, all the Christmas returns are being filtered through a single register. The one cashier is probably making little more than minimum wage. He is VERY pleasant, listens carefully to EACH customer, while taking care of their transaction. When he has finished with mine, he hands me a receipt, smiles, and wishes me Happy New Year...and makes me believe he means it. I leave what could have been a frustrating experience feeling as if I have been touched by another human being.

Linda: My husband, Wally spent 29 years working in law enforcement—every day risking his life to make our community a better and safer place.

Lisa: Traffic, the great metaphor for life. You know, it's not the destination, it's the journey. There were red brake lights for several miles. When my attention was caught by some beautiful purple and orange flowers growing out of the cement. I stared at them for several minutes—so out of place, they made me stop thinking about how late I was, stop thinking about myself! Once I did that, I thought about a friend who was going through rough times and called her. She said it was perfect timing. Thank you flowers.

David: Living with heart involves treating others with dignity and respect as you make your way.

Come check out workshops and tools to help you on your journal to live with heart at www.livewithheart.com or call 909-424-3400 for information.