Know Your Heart Well
From The Alchemist
Why should I listen to my heart?
Because you will never again be able to keep it quiet. Even if you pretend not to have heard what it tells you, it will always be there inside of you, repeating to you what you’re thinking about life and about the world.
You mean I should listen, even if it’s treasonous?
Treason is a blow that comes unexpectedly. If you know your heart well, it will never be able to do that to you. Because you’ll know its dreams and wishes, and will know how to deal with them.
You will never be able to escape from your heart. So it’s better to listen to what it has to say. That way, you’ll never have to fear an unanticipated blow.
The boy continued to listen to his heart as they crossed the desert. He came to understand its dodges and tricks, and to accept it as it was. He lost his fear, and forgot about his need to go back to the oasis, because, one afternoon his heart told him it was happy.
September 6th, 2008 at 5:15 pm
This speaks to me so deeply right now. I sort of wish it didn’t, but it does.
September 6th, 2008 at 6:35 pm
So perfectly timed, dear Jen. Listening to your heart. To my heart. Knowing it. Recognizing its patterns, dodges, tricks, and when it is surprised, gladdened, and renewed. Accepting that it, along with my soul, can no longer be silenced.
But now what? That’s what I wonder most of all:
what do I do now that I know? Now that I can hear it???!!!
September 6th, 2008 at 9:27 pm
such a beautiful passage, thanks jen… but as GailNHB just mentioned what’s next? the heart can be heart but sometimes the next step isn’t so clear. i guess i’ll go back to being quiet and listening to my heart… with a bit of patience something usually always presents itself.
September 7th, 2008 at 1:05 pm
Maybe to hear one’s heart clearly one needs to cross a bit of desert first.
September 7th, 2008 at 1:06 pm
just beautiful.
xoxo
September 7th, 2008 at 6:13 pm
woman! that photo is AMAZING!!!I swear I will start that book this week!
September 7th, 2008 at 11:19 pm
I love that book. It’s full of wisdom – like a manual for living in tune with your soul. I’ve got to read it again.
April 26th, 2009 at 9:02 am
Keep working ,great job!