We have all experienced at least one broken heart, I’m sure. Perhaps it was a lover, a friend or even our mother. It’s impossible to live without having had someone reach in and pull our hearts out or apart. On what could have been a celebrated wedding anniversary, I’m coming to a new understanding about this tender heart.
First, let’s take a neutral example from nature. The shell of the seed must be broken before it can take root, before it can spread its sprouting stalk to the sun and grow. Until the seed roots and sprouts upwards, it is only potential.
Perhaps the heart also needs to be broken to understand its full potential. Perhaps the breaking open of our hearts leads to greater understanding, which is a necessary part of growth. In many ways, Rumi and other philosophers state that pain is our compass or even our remedy.
So are we stopping our own growth when we freeze our emotional process, or worse, avoid love because we fear we will become broken?
Repeatedly I find that whatever emotional hell I walk through that there is a commiserate supply of Grace on the other side. Within Grace there is a new understanding and perspective to be held.
The mighty oak could only become what it is by breaking free of its confined acorn beginnings. Perhaps we are only acorns until the shell of our understanding is broken and sets us free…so that we too can become mighty. As painful as this may seem, some change in energy needs to occur if we truly want our lives to turn out differently.
Namaste
Post-script: In the intro of “Owning Your Own Shadow: Understanding the Dark Side of the Psyche” Robert A. Johnson, a Jungian Analyst, talks about how the shadow is a necessary social construct. While I’m chomping at the bit to read the rest of the book, this little appetizer is making me see that growth can often be the acceptance and understanding of painful lessons. Looking forward to reading, understanding and sharing more!
Image: Google
unfiltered from the heart 
Oh Sweet Sister, I couldn’t love a post more. ❤️❤️❤️ needs a LOVE button.
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Thank you! I felt o was going out on a limb with this one… I appreciate the support! ❤️❤️❤️
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There is an undeniable opportunity in brokenness that too many of us to choose! I could have chosen to allow my first son’s death to be the death of part of me – but allowing my heart to break open allowed be to grow ❤️❤️😎
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Yes. I’m learning to appreciate that opening, tho so often I resist it. Sometimes “you just gotta love (and live through) the suck.”
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That should be a bumper sticker 😊
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Ha! Yeah, that’ll go over well in this military town 😉
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Not!
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Yes, I need a sarcasm sign 🙂
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Lol
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I am a sarcasm sign 😎
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Haha! Very true 😉
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I agree with Rita!!💜
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Thank you, Kay! It means a lot.
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Going out on a limb? (Pun intended?) Gotta question for ya, I really identify with this post but in my case I feel like I not only broke her heart but in a sense broke mine as well. Does that even make sense to you. It may sound weird but I don’ t think the reason for the broken heart or even at whose hand it is broken realy makes a difference. It is what I do about the pain and how I channel that energy into a new path forward. What is your take? 😊 Barn
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There are many processes to deal with the pain: meditation, alchemy, acceptance (being with the pain instead of pushing it away). What you do with it, that is all up to you to decide, Barney. I cannot answer that for you.
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Ah hell, I”‘m not sure what I’ m trying to say, sometimes I can’ t seem to find a way to explain myself. Usually when we think of having a broken heart it is the result of what someone else has done to) us, betrayal, not loving us any more etc. Could a broken heart also be the result of what we have done as well, choices we have made etc. Or would that be something else, selfishness, guilt, conviction etc?
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I would say that yes we can break our own hearts w our own actions.
I would argue that we are responsible for the breaking each time…
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Oh yea, definitely responsible, not trying to avoid that. I had never looked inward before when thinking about a broken the cause of a broken heart. Wonderful post, thought provoking! Have a great weekend! 🤗 Barn
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Great work, Barney! ❤️
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True that we all have experience one such phase where our hearts were broken and felt shattered.. But eventually we did fight the odd and its a matter of time we will learn to overcome it.. Wonderful post tiff I loved it
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Thank you! Yes, I agree we can overcome it and be stronger for it
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This post resonated with me. There’s so much change in my life, so much upheaval, within myself, that only I know of. You always give me so much to think about, which I really need right now. Thank you. xo
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Sending you love my dear friend. I understand the upheavals that life can send. I find that breathing into the painful feelings helps me to get clear again. Growth requires some degree of death. ❤️❤️🙏🏽🌹
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That’s so true, I’ve still got a lot of dying to do them. Thank you my sweet friend. Hugs xo
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Glad to help! Please be sure to reach out if it becomes overwhelming! Death and grieving are a huge process to go alone. Sometimes I find that counseling can help me to see the perspective I need to get through. ❤️ hugs back at ya!
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Thanks again and yes you’re right. Plus there are other complexities thrown into the mix. Off to some counselling tomorrow actually . xo
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Sometimes it’s the best thing we can do for ourselves, to gain an objective perspective from a neutral party. Sometimes I forget to ask for help. It’s great that you’re helping yourself! ❤️
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And I think it’s really helping me see things from a different perspective. Like you I often forget to reach out but sometimes we need to. xo ❤️
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Yes, I’ve been in the last week myself and the new perspective gained has been profound. Glad to hear it’s helping you, also! ❤️️xo
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