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
The Hurt Healer 