The art of living - Living from the heart

The art of living from the heart

The art of living from the heart is to love, give and cherish every minute of it. This may sound like the dumbest thing to do, for many people today. But this is what sets you apart as a human being, as one who can feel, emote, believe in others, trust them and give your all. Doing your own thing, having your own way and don’t give a damn to others, is an easy way of live most people adopt. Having to accommodate others, their feeling, their desires and caring for the welfare of others is a tough ask. The art of living well and living from the heart (I am not talking about a particular group or sect here, I am talking about living as an art) is so worth it. You give without expectation, that if it comes back to you, you feel blessed if it doesn’t you just move on and give more of your love. Love is one thing that keeps increasing the more you give it. Want to try … read on….

Living the good life form the heart

Approaching people with a positive and open mind. The attitude with which we approach each person has much to do with the way the relationship goes. Every person is like a book which you read, understand, digest and if you like it, you keep going back to it. If you don’t, you just put it on the shelf to gather dust. However, unless you have approached a book with openness of mind, you cannot understand or appreciate fully what it has to say. In the same way, approach people with a view of understanding and appreciating them for their goodness. Some people are like reference books, which you pick up for reference and then when your seasoning for learning is over, you carry on with life. Some are like scribbling pads- you keep putting all your thoughts into them and reading them up, almost like a constant companion. Some are like those that you have read once, you know the story and you have put it back, hoping someday, sometime, you will get to read it once again.

Openness to ideas. The art of living from the heart would call for openness to different ideas, different people, having different ways of thinking, behaving and expressing themselves. Having pre-conceived notions and biases stops you from receiving ideas and causes you to be judgmental towards people. Every person has great ideas at one time or the other and every person has something to contribute, if only we would give them time and accept and appreciate what they have to say. Assuming things about people causes us to be biased and not open to their ideas. Open your heart to listen.

Some qualities and attitudes needed for living from the heart

Giving. Living from the heart is all about giving without expecting to receive in return, whether it is your time, talents or your support. The ability to give without expectation allows the other person to grow in a nurturing atmosphere. It enables an individual to hold his/her peace and live in harmony.

Forgiveness. The ability to let go of things, however bitter they might be and the ability to forgive makes for great human qualities. I am not going to glorify them as virtues here. But, on the other hand, it is essential to practice these qualities so that you may be at peace with yourself and with others. Being able to let go, crushes out bitterness and dissatisfaction from your life at its root. It helps you approach every new person and situation with openness and a fresh approach.

Humility and meekness. Arrogance and pride are what put people off. Humility and meekness, as the Bible says, will conquer the world. It is so easy to be arrogant and proud. It comes very easily to most of us. Humility and meekness have to be cultivated with a little difficulty. When you live from the heart, it is easy to be humble and meek, even in the face of arrogance and pride. When you live a life of humility and meekness, you have no point to prove, nothing to battle about, but just to give and let go.

Qualities that help you live a life of love and happiness

Happiness. This is an attitude which we need to cultivate. Many of us are used to being whiners. It is so easy to complain and cry foul and say that the world is against you, a reason or a route to escape from your responsibilities. Choosing to be happy every day, every minute, is a difficult choice, but not an impossible one. To choose to be happy, you have to decide for yourself that you will not let people, their words, their behaviour and the circumstances around you dictate to you. In choosing to be happy, you are in complete control over your emotions and you drive your emotions, not letting your emotions take you for a ride. I have found this to be one of the most amazing qualities to have developed, that in the midst of great turmoil, I can still hold my peace and stay happy, and not take it out on others. Your happiness does not stop with you; it often spreads to others. It is a pretty contagious emotion and a good one to pass around.

Self- control or Self-discipline: These are qualities which call for some hard work. These are qualities that are really worth cultivating because they help you contain your words, your thoughts, and your behavior within acceptable limits. They make life much more organised and much easier for you and for others. In interactions with others, they help you keep your cool and dignity.

Be an encourager: Be a person who will encourage others to live up to their best potential. Use your words wisely to only convey good. Appreciation and love that flows from the heart can cause a transformation to come upon any person.

Living from the heart - nurturing others

Living from the heart is not about “live and let live”, but it is about enjoying life and helping other to enjoy theirs. If only we can practice a few of these qualities, we will be much happier individuals, spreading happiness all over the place and making others happy in the process. Welcome to inspired living!