It’s my intention to lead a heart centered life. And sometimes that takes practice.
What It Feels Like When Your Heart Isn’t Leading the Way
This morning I couldn’t fall back to sleep because my worries were taking over.
My mind was off and running, telling me about all the things I had to get done and all the ways I was somehow not completing my life’s mission. This is NOT how to live a heart centered life.
It went on for maybe a minute or two when all of a sudden I said (silently, since my husband was still sleeping): STOP!
I told myself to stop thinking. To stop going in circles. To just stop.
And it did. And I felt better immediately. It was instant, I’m telling you. I went from a roiling stomach to nothing but stillness in just moments.
And then I started thinking again.
But when I started thinking this time, I just told myself to stop again. I knew where I wanted to be: In that empty space where my mind wasn’t controlling the show and my heart and intuition were able to do their thing. Back to a place where my heart was in charge.
Why You Should Live a Heart Centered Life
If you follow me on Instagram, you saw I wrote about leading with your heart. And that your heart sends more signals to your brain than vice versa.
Your heart is this amazing little brain right there in the center of your chest. But I don’t want to get all scientific on you (if you want to know more, though, check out the HeartMath institute. Their stuff is cool and practical and also kinda woo woo. The perfect blend.
I fully believe that tapping into what the heart wants is the key to getting what you, the real you, also wants. I think it’s a portal into your higher self, or your intuition, or all of those things wrapped into one. It’s a great reason to attempt to life a heart centered life.
Okay, okay, I get that you get it. But how do you actually do that?
4 Ways to Lead a Heart Centered Life
1. Stop Thinking
Your mind is trying SO HARD to give you a good life, but it is just messing up shizzle left and right. It creates drama, problems, and worry. It may have a general idea of what the real you wants (maybe…), but it mostly has no idea how to get you there. How do you stop thinking? I bet you already know some ways. Meditate (there are tons of apps that can help with this), practice yoga, take three deep breaths and focus on the inhale and exhale, get enough sleep, practice stilling your mind. Just commit to trying something.
2. Intentionally Try to Connect with Your Heart
One exercise I heard about via the HeartMath Institute involves picturing your breath literally coming in and going out from your chest/heart area, then picturing something that makes you feel truly joyful. (I usually picture myself in my front yard on a warm, sunny day petting the neighbor’s big black and white cat). You’ll feel good doing this and very connected to your heart. Just stay in those good vibes and heart connectedness for a while without any need to get answers, and be present with the good feelings. You can read more about it here.
3. Intentionally Try to Connect with Your Intuition
The best way I’ve found is to hear my intuition is to practice. Sit down with a notebook when you have a few quiet moments, and ask a question. Now be still. Wait. See what comes up for you. If you’re sure it was your mind popping in, exhale out and get still again. If you feel uncertain, write down the answer and ask for clarification. There is no wrong way to do this other than letting your mind step in. I give even more detailed instructions here. If your answers are 17 pages long about all the things that are wrong about the way you’re living your life, that’s your mind, not your intuition. The guide below will give you more guidance on this topic.
#4 Practice Meditation on the Reg
You can more readily connect to both your heart and intuition when you practice stillness. Don’t put meditation off as something you don’t have time for; it’s essential for allowing so many pieces of your life’s puzzle to come together.
If you feel like you absolutely cannot meditate, I have something for you to try. It’s a guided meditation that brings you into your body and helps you disconnect from your mind, and I really think you’ll like it. Download it below.
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