The State Of Our Hearts

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There is nothing more beautiful to me than someone with a heart that responds with kindness and love. There is so much in life that we can become hardened by, the biggest challenge, I believe, is to maintain a heart that can love no matter what. Kindness is something near and dear to me, my highest value probably, this is what brings me to the discussion. The State of Our Hearts.

Lesson from an incredible house mother

We had a young boy, Peter*, brought to the children's home with broken ribs, bruised face and a black eye. His attitude was understandably defensive and confused. I doubt he was older than nine. Who inflicted this harm on him? His own mother. I am telling you this only so that you can understand the level of confusion, hurt and anger this youngster was going through. Now he had been taken away from his abuser, as he should have been, but also separated from his baby brother and the only life he had ever known.

Changing track to our house mum, her name we shall also change to continue the privacy around this story. Gladys is house mum to eight young boys from age 6 to teens. As you can imagine, she has her hands full. No only are they lively, strong boys becoming men, they also all come from a history not too far removed from the young man in question. So we have a lot of hurt, confusion and testosterone all combined. Trust me, it's not always pretty!

One afternoon Gladys handed young Peter something to eat, a treat, he snatched at it. Gladys anticipated this and quickly placed her other hand over his and held it gently. She said these words that I will never forget, "in this house, we say thank you", smiling tenderly as she spoke. The combination of how Gladys handled this situation, her demeanor of love and kindness, and the expression on young Peter's face, one of disbelief but also absolute awe at her kindness, will never leave me.

Gladys herself does not come from an easy background, I do not know her story, but I can tell it has been one of hardship. Yes, despite the hardships she has endured, she has a very large and loving heart, filled to the brim with kindness which she shares with everyone who crosses her path. I have great affection for this beautiful woman, she is a God-send for our boys.

Proverbs 4: 23 NIV Above all things, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.

Have you noticed how easy it is to tell the state of a persons heart? Do they respond with gentleness and ease or is there a clipped, harsh retort instead? The clipped retort is often a sign of a heart that has endured pain. One that has not been healed, recovered and released from the hurt.

Hostile humour is another indicator of a heart in pain. Some people call this sarcasm, for me, it is more aptly described as hostile humour. There are far more clever forms of wit than sarcasm. For me, sarcasm is a way of retorting or biting at someone under the guise and pretense of humour. Perhaps that is just who I am. A significant adult in my growing up years was sarcastic, I never understood it as a child, certainly did not appreciate it.

Cynicism - a cynic, according to the Oxford Advanced Learners Dictionary, yes the paper version, no link to be shared - "is a person who believes that people do not do things for good, sincere or noble reasons, but only for their own advantage." This can be another form of hostile humour when expressed. Something I believe is also a sign of pain experienced by the cynic, also not healed from.

The State Of Our Hearts - How does this relate to Wealthy Affiliate?

It may seem to be a stretch to some, in my mind it is not. In our dealings with people, yes those on the other end of our writing - whether it's a blog or a message - we reveal the state of our hearts in our words. If we truly care for and want the best for others, our tone and words will reveal that. If we don't, the same applies.

5 Things You Can't Take Back

A stone after it is thrown

A word after it is spoke (or written in our case)

An occasion once it is missed

An action once it is done

And time once it has passed

- Anonymous

As human beings and online marketers we need to be aware that everything we say is public knowledge and reveals the state of our hearts. People want to follow and buy from people they like and trust. We need to be mindful of our knee jerk response, even if that newbie asks the same question three times, patience and kindness is what they should receive. Reprimanding anyone in a public space is never going to be okay. It will always say more about the person giving the reprimand than the receiver. The same goes for being glib or sarcastic.

I mentioned this is one of my earliest blogs, the people we interact with on the WA platform are someone's customer. None of us deserve to be treated with unkindness, sarcasm or the like.

More than that though, our hearts deserve to be protected and nurtured and healed from pain. People do notice, our responses and how revealing they are about the state of our hearts, but that is not the biggest issue. The biggest issue is you, who you are and who you are becoming. It's less about the way others see you (though knowing that it impacts your business should make a difference) and more about who you see when you look in the mirror.

I hope you receive this blog in the way it was written, from my heart to yours to encourage us all to consider for The State of Our Hearts.

Blessings always


PS. Day 19 of the 21 Day Challenge done and dusted



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Recent Comments

56

Wow! You could tell you were writing that from the heart. What a touching story. I am around special needs children quite a bit with my sons and some of the parents scream (some times as a knee jerk reaction) but if there's one thing I've learned its, if we find it hard, what are they going through in their own head. I think it's great to stop and look from the other persons point of view. Thank you for sharing that story.

Hi Stacy
Thank you, yes this was from my heart. I am happy to see that you could relate to it. I hear what you are saying, special needs children can be very challenging for the parents, to not ever raise your voice would take something miraculous. As you say though, we need to be able to stop ourselves and try to see things from their viewpoint. I take my hat off to parents and caregivers of special needs children and adults, takes the patience of a saint.
Thank you for reading and sharing here too.
Blessings
Louise

Touching and inspiring post.

Thank you, Joanne
I appreciate your time to stop, read and share your impression.
Blessings
Louise

A very touching story and something profound to think about! Thank you for sharing!
Michael Inman

Hi Michael
It's always a pleasure to share. I am glad you found value in this blog.
Thank you for stopping to read and share your experience too.
Blessings
Louise

What a beautiful post Louise. We can certainly see the state of your heart. This was a very inspirational article, especially the story of the woman caring for all those children with firmness and love.

Thank you, Judy.
I am so glad to see you were uplifted by this blog. I learn about how the state of my heart can be improved every day. The house mums are very special people, "Gladys" in particular has a gift that is rare.
I appreciate your time to stop here, read and share too.
Blessings
Louise

I was very drawn to your writing and had to keep reading, clearly you are a natural writer, stay blessed, ann

Thank you, Ann
I love writing and really appreciate your compliment - thank you.
Blessings to you
Louise

"People in glass houses should not throw stones."
It is an old quote.
Unfortunately this day and because of social media everybody throws stones and all are living in glass houses.
Tom.

Hi Tom
Yes, I agree with that quote too. I've also heard the expression, writing a text message (as in on the cell phone) is like throwing a brick over the wall and ducking. How true.
What you say is true too - we all live in glass houses thanks to the world wide web.
Thank you for your time to read and leave your input.
Blessings
Louise

I have always had a sarcastic humour. You made me think. Perhaps you are right. I shall look inside...

Thank you, Louise!

Hi Fran
Oooh, sorry, I wasn't throwing you under the bus, my friend. That is my experience of sarcasm.
Thank you for being the person you are Franl, for being prepared to look inside :-)
Blessings
Louise

I know you weren't, but sometimes it's good to have someone call you on these things, even unknowingly. Hehe.

Hi Louise, nice blog I agree what is on our hearts usually come out in what we say. I enjoyed your Blog.
Art

Thank you, Art
I really appreciate your time to read and share here.
Makes me happy to know this blog has been well received and enjoyed.
Blessings
Louise

Louise.... I need to find a way to print this out and put it on my refrigerator.

(I normally do not print out WA posts. lol)

It is my desire that I can have a heart that see others for they are. A heart that will not seize on a weakness to hurt them. A heart that would be more like the house mother. A heart that will allow me to find their strengths that even they may not realize they possess. That is my prayer for the day. Thank you for inspiring it.

I am glad that your Ipad battery lasted long enough for you to be able to finish this touching message.

Sondra

Hi Sondra
Wow! That is a huge compliment to this blog!
Your desires show how truly beautiful your heart is already - being aware of how we want to be is the first step. Praying for it is definitely the way to go. Bless you!
Bless you
Louise

Thank you! I hope your day is filled with grace and peace Louise.

Thanks a lot for sharing your touching story.

All the best!

Bob

Hi Bob
My absolute pleasure. i am so touched to see how well it has been received.
Thank you for reading, appreciating and leaving your feedback.
Blessings
Louise

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