Open your heart. It sounds simple, but it isn’t always easy.
Embracing our vulnerabilities is risky but not nearly as dangerous as giving up on love and belonging and joy—the experiences that make us the most vulnerable.
–Brene Brown
When the stress, loss, or pain of life becomes too great, our tendency is to draw back, tighten our body against the pain, round our shoulders forward, and close our hearts. In these efforts to protect ourselves from feeling vulnerable or getting hurt, we close ourselves off from joy, love, empathy, and a sense of wonder. But the way too healing is to open your heart rather than close it. This week, try standing in an upright posture without rounding your shoulders forward. Take time out of your day to breathe deeply, feeling the breath fill the chest and open your heart space. Imagine the chest and heart opening to freely give and receive love. Allow yourself and someone close to you to experience the beauty of your own tenderness and vulnerability. Experiencing your own tenderness and vulnerability and sharing it with others is the path to love, empathy, joy, and wonder. Keep breathing.
Jen Johnson is a mindfulness coach, therapist, and mindful writing workshop facilitator. She teaches meditation for healing and creativity. Jen has been teaching mindfulness for 30+ years. Click here to learn more about working with Jen as your mindfulness coach.