A passionate heart.

Posted on January 15, 2013 by hurthealer

Where’s your passionate heart?

Has it been crushed by past abusers and oppressors? Or turned to stone by previous disappointments and betrayals?

Perhaps you have vowed not to commit yourself to anyone or anything for fear of failure and rejection? Then it’s time to reclaim your passion for life.

Passion comes from the heart. But for most of my life, my heart seemed to do little apart from keep me alive. Whilst friends and colleagues appeared to be thriving in every way, I functioned from day to day cocooned in depression and alcoholism, in self-doubt and fear.

“There is no passion to be found playing small – in settling for a life that is less than the one you are capable of living. ~ Nelson Mandela

My journey to recovering started with a reality check. My heart, mind and soul had been numbed to the extreme leaving me emotionally void. I was physically alive but mentally dead. The truth was that I was existing but not living. And I was tolerating myself and others but not loving.

When I reclaimed my heart, I reclaimed my life. I chose to swap the pain for the passion and use the energy to reconnect with myself and those around me. As I pursued my recovery with eagerness and intent, I learnt to refute those negative beliefs I had internalised since childhood.

My self-image of a woman who was worthless, useless, ugly, stupid, hated, rejected began to fade as I opened up my heart. Despite my vulnerability I allowed love and laughter to enter my world again. And I began to be able to define myself differently – valued, positive, beautiful, intelligent, loved and wanted.

“Let the beauty of what you love be what you do.” ~ Rumi

Today my passionate heart reveals itself through my devotion to my faith, family and friends. It sustains me through the bad times and fills me with joy through the good times.

No longer do I simply exist or tolerate. I live and I love. With a passion.

Top image thanks to Freaky Peas http://www.etsy.com/listing/119986407/heart-original-mixed-media-painting

47 thoughts on “A passionate heart.”

ajaytao2010 on February 9, 2013 at 4:49 pm said:

Just no words to say my dear friend but one thing
I am extremely grateful to god to have found a friend like you

Love

Ajay

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- Carolyn Hughes on February 9, 2013 at 5:53 pm said:
  
  Thank you Ajay for all your kind comments on my posts. I do hope that they bring some light and happiness in your challenging times.xo
  
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  - ajaytao2010 on February 9, 2013 at 5:58 pm said:
    
    thanks
Liz Bigger on January 25, 2013 at 5:12 pm said:

Yay Carolyn, You really are an inspiration! I too had a hard time living and I still struggle to stay open and positive – thanks for this reminder to do so and find passion!

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- Carolyn Hughes on January 25, 2013 at 6:07 pm said:
  
  So glad you could find a connection here Liz. Keep on being passionate in what you do and for who you are !
  
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Carl Mason-Liebenberg on January 24, 2013 at 4:37 pm said:

I love it when you say “swap the pain for the passion”…this resonates with me so strongly!! Thank you!

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- Carolyn Hughes on January 24, 2013 at 9:40 pm said:
  
  Thank you for your support and encouragement Carl!
  
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Sharon O'Day (@sharonoday) on January 24, 2013 at 3:39 pm said:

I think that everyone who reads this post will find at least a “piece” of their heart that is shut down. Thank you, Carolyn, for the gift of helping us open it back up!

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- Carolyn Hughes on January 24, 2013 at 9:40 pm said:
  
  Thank you Sharon for that wonderful comment!
  
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Lisa Birnesser (@LisaBirnesser) on January 23, 2013 at 12:04 pm said:

I just love reading your blog, Carolyn. Your words and courage always lift me up and give me strength. Thank you so much for sharing your passionate heart.

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- Carolyn Hughes on January 23, 2013 at 2:07 pm said:
  
  What beautiful comments. Thank you Lisa!
  
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quirkybooks on January 23, 2013 at 12:17 am said:

Thanks so much for your honesty. I am thrilled to hear how you turned your life around, you are an inspiration to us all and I am glad you can love yourself, that is so important. I nominated you for the Super Sweet Blogger Award. http://quirkybooks.wordpress.com/2013/01/17/happy-to-be-super-sweet-super-sweet-blogging-award

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- Carolyn Hughes on January 23, 2013 at 2:09 pm said:
  
  How wonderful! I will accept my nomination with pleasure on a separate post. Thank you Sandra!
  
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  - quirkybooks on January 24, 2013 at 10:27 pm said:
    
    You are more than welcome. It’s a pleasure.
Moira Hutchison on January 22, 2013 at 4:03 pm said:

Excellent post Carolyn – I love the way you capture the essence of your experiences and show up coming through the other side with a passion and a connection to life! You are a wonderful inspiration. ♥

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- Carolyn Hughes on January 23, 2013 at 2:07 pm said:
  
  Thank you Moira for such wonderful and encouraging comments!
  
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Anita Fiander on January 22, 2013 at 2:30 pm said:

I love to come here! I can so relate with a lot of your inspiring posts! Love your heart 🙂

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- Carolyn Hughes on January 23, 2013 at 2:06 pm said:
  
  It’s lovely to know that you can relate Anita. Thank you!)
  
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Meryl Hershey Beck on January 22, 2013 at 5:02 am said:

You’re recovery is amazing,Carolyn, and I admire your transparency. So glad you share your passionate heart with us!

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- Carolyn Hughes on January 22, 2013 at 9:22 am said:
  
  Thank you for sharing yours too Meryl. You have an amazing strength and overcoming spirit.x
  
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Cathy Taughinbaugh (@treatmenttalk) on January 22, 2013 at 4:03 am said:

Hi Carolyn,

So glad to know that you were able to work through your childhood issues. I know you are helping others with your writing. All the best.

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- Carolyn Hughes on January 22, 2013 at 9:19 am said:
  
  Thank you for all your support Cathy.
  
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Catherine Doucette MEd on January 21, 2013 at 8:28 pm said:

Thanks for the post, and I love this quote “Let the beauty of what you love be what you do.” ~ Rumi

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- Carolyn Hughes on January 21, 2013 at 9:09 pm said:
  
  Glad you like it Catherine, Thank you.
  
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lorettaschoettler on January 21, 2013 at 4:30 pm said:

A lovely blog post from a lovely soul. I believe the brightness of your beauty is made stronger because of the shadows of your injuries. Thank you for your fierce and loving sharing.

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- Carolyn Hughes on January 21, 2013 at 4:59 pm said:
  
  What a fabulous comment Loretta. Thank you!
  
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daily life impressions on January 21, 2013 at 2:41 pm said:

lovely ….

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- Carolyn Hughes on January 21, 2013 at 3:43 pm said:
  
  Thank you!
  
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Chris Edgar on January 19, 2013 at 6:24 pm said:

I’m glad to hear that’s happened for you, Carolyn. I feel like I’ve been on a similar journey — to give up the need to be a different person, and the disappointment that arises from thinking I’m “not who I should be,” and instead accepting the person I am and always will be.

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- Carolyn Hughes on January 19, 2013 at 9:01 pm said:
  
  There is such freedom Chris in learning to accept who you are instead of thinking about ‘who you should be.’ Thank your for sharing your insight.
  
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Shakti Ghosal on January 19, 2013 at 11:07 am said:

Hi Carolyn,

This is one of the most empowering posts I have read in this new year. Loved it so much that I re-read it appreciating every word and its nuance.

Indeed it is our thoughts stemming from our perceptual insecurities that create the beliefs that stonewall us from following our passion. But as we choose to confront these underlying beliefs, we start allowing the sunshine of possibilities into our souls. This really becomes the seed of our passion, as the fears and darkness fade away.

God bless

Shakti

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- Carolyn Hughes on January 19, 2013 at 9:02 pm said:
  
  What beautiful and empowering comments Shakti. Thank you for your depth of understanding. God bless you too.
  
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Hila on January 18, 2013 at 7:42 pm said:

YES!!!! tolerating isn’t living… in fact through my experience it has only created enabling situations with lovers friends experiences that have kept the heart of truth from really shining out!!

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- Carolyn Hughes on January 18, 2013 at 8:27 pm said:
  
  You’ve hit the nail right on the head – enabling! Thank you for commenting.
  
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Simply Me on January 17, 2013 at 3:23 pm said:

I can’t even begin to tell you how happy I am that you discovered your inner beauty, your strengths, and your passion for sharing and inspiring others, you really do make a difference Carolyn! THANK YOU 🙂 x

My Favorite quote is – “There is no passion to be found playing small – in settling for a life that is less than the one you are capable of living. ~ Nelson Mandela

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- Carolyn Hughes on January 17, 2013 at 3:50 pm said:
  
  Christine, your comments make my day 🙂
  
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  - Simply Me on January 17, 2013 at 3:59 pm said:
    
    Mwah! x 🙂
my inner chick on January 16, 2013 at 9:50 pm said:

Lovely Post.
I love your attitude, girl! Xx

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- Carolyn Hughes on January 16, 2013 at 9:56 pm said:
  
  Coming from you Kim that is one wonderful compliment. Thank you!Xx
  
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nutsfortreasure on January 16, 2013 at 6:11 pm said:

Reblogged this on Living and Lovin.

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- Carolyn Hughes on January 16, 2013 at 7:37 pm said:
  
  Thank you Eunice. You’re a star! 🙂
  
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  - nutsfortreasure on January 16, 2013 at 8:25 pm said:
    
    🙂 nopr mpt me 🙂
  - nutsfortreasure on January 16, 2013 at 8:25 pm said:
    
    pp[s NOPE NOT ME lol eye glasses fogged up as I laid my fingers on the wrong keys 🙂
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- Carolyn Hughes on January 16, 2013 at 1:16 pm said:
  
  Thank you so much for posting. I really appreciate that 🙂
  
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Vidya Sury on January 16, 2013 at 4:24 am said:

“Tolerating isn’t loving; Existing isn’t living” – that’s so beautiful, Carolyn. Hugs!

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- Carolyn Hughes on January 16, 2013 at 8:53 am said:
  
  Thank you Vidya 🙂
  
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