Over recent years and more frequently, I have watched and listened to many of those in positions of power and responsibility throughout the world, speaking in ways that either make no good sense or logic. Truth being used like sugar on a bitter pill, while language is far too often employed to confound, hide or mislead. A perspective that I have learned that is not just mine.
We are living in a world where everything feels like it’s moving faster than before, partially due to the rapid developments in the technological era we are in. In addition, I believe that humanity itself is being led in two different directions depending upon your concept of what is actually happening in the world.
It feels as if information is already on the verge of being weaponized to the point where individuals can be fined, imprisoned or worse, for speaking freely to express a personal or wider acknowledged perspective, but outside of the mainstream narrative. Terms have been introduced in our daily lives such as Misinformation and Disinformation that create confusion and misunderstanding, the latter a term more easily comprehended by many.
What brings me to this view is an accumulation of the things I choose to engage in, through reading and listening to others speak directly and indirectly, and through various sources of media. In the meantime, the internet and media have become contentious sources of information. What we consciously or unconsciously choose to believe in and the quality of information we obtain, is subject to the sources we use, which will determine the quality of what we learn and accept as truth, even if on a temporary basis and remaining open-minded.
Information presented at source or with solid research and referenced can allow a greater degree of belief. However, the internet and media have become the biggest areas of concern today, when it comes to finding what we deem to be the truth, fact or fiction. How can we check information we discover that could otherwise take hours, days or weeks to research and confirm, and would we truly understand it if we did? So, generally we choose to place our trust in those we find ‘believable’ and offer our support to them and what they declare to stand for, which equally has the potential to be a misplaced or flawed confidence. Oh my my, this feels like it’s spiraling down a deep hole!
So how do we distinguish between true or false information? How can we ever know which is the right choice to make and believe in it, with a sense of integrity and honesty? Especially when our future may depend upon such choices!
This is where our heart comes into play in a major way, one that I hope will resonate with you. If not that is fine, as I am simply sharing a personal view of how this all works and can be dealt with, in a way that does not leave us feeling bad or lacking. Understanding has a power to it, as does truth.
I believe that from birth, we have a baseline range of skills and capabilities within our natural capabilities, even if they need some time for us to develop sufficiently to be able to comprehend and use them.
The heart is referenced throughout history, in literature, social ideology and language in ways that demonstrate its function and place in our lives. A symbol of love, purity, courage, strength and compassion that emanate from the heart, recognized for millennia.
You may be familiar with these references to the heart: I love you with all of my heart. Follow your heart. I give you my heart. Statements that are often accompanied by a gesture of the hands placed over the heart, while the words are being spoken.
Here are a few quotes that illustrate a direct correlation and connection between the heart and mind, referring to love, knowledge, wisdom, inner strength, beauty, sincerity, nobility, clarity and how we interpret what we experience through all our senses in an intangible way.
It is only with the heart that one can see rightly; what is essential is invisible to the eye.
Antoine de Saint-Exupéry
Whatever your heart clings to and confides in, that is really your God. Martin Luther
A loving heart is the truest wisdom. Charles Dickens
If you go deeper and deeper into your own heart, you’ll be living in a world with less fear,
isolation and loneliness. Sharon Salzberg
A loving heart is the beginning of all knowledge. Thomas Carlyle
A noble heart cannot suspect in others the pettiness and malice that it has never felt. Jean Racine
The seat of knowledge is in the head, of wisdom, in the heart. William Hazlitt
Your vision will become clear only when you look into your heart.
Who looks outside, dreams; who looks inside, awakens. Carl Jung
The best and most beautiful things in the world cannot be seen or even touched
– they must be felt with the heart. Helen Keller
When pure sincerity forms within, it is outwardly realized in other people’s hearts. Lao Tzu
Sometimes the heart sees what is invisible to the eye. H. Jackson Brown, Jr.
I believe that deep within each of us, and innately, we know only too well the difference between many things, such as: good & bad, light & dark, good & evil, true & false. Intuition comes from the heart not the head; compassion, love and all our key emotions, may at times even overrule logic.
A good sense of self-confidence is something that many people may lack, causing varying degrees of loss of a natural ability to trust in themselves. Not being confident in who and what we are can lead to a loss of belief in ourselves and our sense of value in the world, leading to feeling that we are not enough! Perhaps allowing others to fill that space with their ideas and beliefs they wish to impose upon us and filling a void.
Returning to what we believe in, I suggest learning to trust the heart in sensing right or wrong. By using our own experience and understanding in a heart-centered way, we can chose to challenge points of view that do not align with our own, rather than be coerced into another’s way of thinking. Building self-confidence and esteem at the same time.
We are the ones who know our inner selves better than any other, living in that truth is empowering to the individual by trusting oneself.
Science has proven that there are over 40,000,000 cells in the heart which are the same as in the brain. This has led to the heart being described as a second brain. When we experience external stimulus of any kind, messages are sent to both the brain and the heart simultaneously.
A sequence of reactions take place to activate what response by our body is needed. Firstly, to decide the level of life threat, or not. The production of the chemicals required to support any response begins immediately, propagating emotional changes and/or physical reactions such as, increased heart rate if needed to escape a situation, or whatever is appropriate for the situation.
I have greatly simplified this process to give a brief example of how the heart works in conjunction with the brain. The brain dealing with the physical side and the heart with the spiritual-emotional aspect of us. We make heart felt choices and decisions in micro-seconds, that are linked to matters of morality, values and love, all intangible parts of us. There are many ways to create a sense of being connected and in touch with our heart and emotions.
Simply being aware and conscious of this is a great start. A life that is heart-based in how we decide to live can play an important role. Activities that we love to indulge in, and are rooted in creativity, are a direct route to engaging the heart into our daily lives. Compassion, giving and loving are qualities that go without saying are essential. Routes to becoming more spiritually aware are also ways of become a more heart-based person. In doing so, a greater self confidence can be created with a stronger understanding and clarity of what to invest our confidence and beliefs into. Developing the innate senses we already have to live in our own truth and to have a greater understanding of right or wrong, true or false, can bring an inner strength that is much needed in this rapidly changing world.
Believe in yourself and who you are, we have everything that we need within us to be the most amazing and incredible beings from day one!
Love to you all
More Articles by SophieFR
- Everything you need to know
- The Right Note of Confidence
- Socially Induced Dysphoria
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SophieFR
Latest posts by SophieFR (see all)
- Everything you need to know - February 19, 2023
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This needed to be said so badly, Sophie. It really is getting scary outside in this crazy world. Even when I try to remain neutral, I’m not sure. Thank you so much for this breath of fresh air to my heart, mind, and soul. Huggz Tia 👙
Dear Tia,
Thank you for reading and commenting on this article. I am always so grateful to the members that respond to my writing. I am very happy that you found meaning that resonated with you.
We need to support each other in these strange times in whatever way we can
Love and hugs
Sophie
I do support all here with great admiration, when possible, Sophie. The trouble is I am at the point of finals for my B/A in the computer sciences. This week I passed two of my classes. My final is on the 1st and 2nd of Sept. Huggz Tia
I feel like ever since both parents have had to go back to work it has destroyed the family. Also when people took God out of their life that has destroyed family. New technology has helped us, but I believe it is also destroying us as well because we are becoming too dependent on it and it just seems like it is making people more glued to their toys instead of interacting with each other, which I absolutely hate and I feel like that hurts us. Whatever happened to communication? No one seems to knows what that it is. At… Read more »
Sophie- thanks so much for your thought-provoking articles- like you I have had to wait a long time (I am 76) to embark upon the life- long ambition of at least partially attaining womanhood. It was only after the loss of my wife to cancer in April 2021 that I felt that I could fully embark upon my personal journey. Articles like yours have certainly been a great help along the way. As someone at the Keystone Conference noted last Spring- (“Keep doing what you’re doing”) Take care and all my love, Roberta Mank
Hi Roberta, Thank you so much for your kind words, taking the time to read this and leave a comment.
It means a great deal to me when I touch another with my thoughts and words. I am very grateful of your time and energy here.
There is one more statement I wish to add you your final comment: “It is never too late to do the right thing”.
Enjoy your life to the fullest and live your true self.
Much love and hugs to you sweetheart
Sophie xx
Hi Sophie,
Oh yes, it’s my heart that has always known that Lauren was there, my brain followed what everyone said was the “right way” and the “correct way”. But my heart finally won the struggle and now Lauren has emerged and is living the life she was born for. Sometimes we have to take the path that is definitely a harder journey, but my heart always pointed me in the right direction.
Thank you Sophie. 🙂
Love and hugs,
Lauren M
Hi Lauren, Thank your for you kind comments, for reading and commenting here to share with everyone. My heart is touched by your words and to know that you have found a connection through my words and message presented here. Such responses encourage me continue on my path, which I believe to be true of my own hearts desire.
I send you my gratitude, love and hugs
Sophie xx