Keeping Our Hearts Open Anyway
The past few years have been challenging for many to remain aligned with the deep Self and to stay open hearted, as sadly, people have separated themselves from one another due to differences of opinion and political loyalties. A great amount of unprocessed emotional material when unconscious, rises up only to be projected onto one another. In the midst of the chaos and confusion of the past few years, it is even more imperative to anchor ourselves in integrity and lovingkindness. It is especially difficult to do when we are reactive but it is the only way for us to stay aligned with our soul, especially in the midst of fear and uncertainty.
Recently, as I was searching for inspiration to keep myself anchored in my heart, I came across this poem which reminded me of how important it is to stay centered in lovingkindness despite what may be going on around us and in our lives. I immediately thought of sharing this with you, a reminder to continue to persevere for what is good and true and kind. It is so important to keep our hearts open to one another, even when we feel like closing them down. It reminds us to keep them open anyway, even if to mentor and inspire one another. I believe this is the only way to get through this time together in order to be transformed for the good of all.
Anyway
Author: Unknown
People are illogical, unreasonable and self-centered.
Love them anyway.
If you do good, people will accuse you of selfish, ulterior motives.
Do good anyway.
If you are successful, you will win false friends and true enemies.
Succeed anyway.
The good you do today will be forgotten tomorrow.
Do good anyway.
Honesty and frankness make you vulnerable.
Be honest and frank anyway.
The biggest men and women with the biggest ideas can be shot down by the smallest men and women with the smallest minds.
Think big anyway.
People favor underdogs but follow only top dogs.
Fight for underdogs anyway.
What you build for years may be destroyed overnight.
Build it anyway.
People really need help but will attack you if you help them.
Help people anyway.
Give the world the best you have and you will get kicked in the teeth.
Give the world the best you have anyway.
This article is dedicated to Thich Nhat Hanh, who died on January 22, 2022 at his home in Hue, Vietnam. He was a passionate activist for peace, mindfulness and lovingkindness. Here is a link to his Ten Love Letters to the Earth. I hope it inspires you to offer daily gratitude and lovingkindness to yourself and those around you.
©Feburary2022/December2021 Kalpana (Rose) M. Kumar M.D., CEO and Medical Director, The Ommani Center for Integrative Medicine, Pewaukee, WI. www.ommanicenter.com Author of Becoming Real: Reclaiming Your Health in Midlife (2nd Edition), Medial Press, 2014. Dr. Kumar is currently accepting new patients. Call 262.695.5311 for an appointment, either virtual or in-person for those free of symptoms.