Curing Hardened Heart Disease
Ever find that you’ve developed a shell around your heart? It may be a gruff exterior that doesn’t let anyone close or a growing sense of bitterness about life in general. It may be self-protection stemming from a series of disappointments or just a mindset of negativity that robs life of its shine. My own case of Hardened Heart Disease often comes and goes with the ebb and flow of my responses to people and circumstances. I don’t enjoy it and try to recognise its onset early so that I can reopen my soul to the joy of life and the needs of others. Interestingly, when I do, my own needs start getting met too. Here’s my top ten “things” that melt my hardened heart and bring back my sensitivity, my sense of humour and my creative flow.
- Watching children at play.
- Counting my blessings.
- Going out for a long walk.
- Conversation with my wife over a glass of port.
- Journalling - writing my way out of a slump.
- Forgiveness and its cousin: assertiveness.
- Reading the Psalms as if they were written with me in mind.
- Talking stuff through with a chosen few friends who both support and shake me up.
- Comedy. Lots and lots of comedy.
- Seeking to understand when my first reaction is to judge…
These are the things that most commonly snap me out of it. (I was going to say “These are a few of my favourite things” but I think that line’s been used). So what works for you?
