As I come across nuggets I toss them into a draft catch all to come back to later. This morning, skimming my list of treasures this one said “pick me”.
The moment I read “how is your heart” I was filled with warmth. The phrase comes from Muslim culture and it’s so much more than “how are you” – it’s “…how your heart is doing, at this very moment. Tell me. Tell me your heart is joyous, tell me your heart is aching, tell me your heart is sad, tell me your heart craves a human touch. Examine your own heart, explore your soul, and then tell me something about your heart and your soul.”
The above excerpt came from an The Disease of Being Busy written by Omid Safi and the context is how we’ve all gotten so busy that we forget to ask this, for others and ourselves. While I think the article was wonderful and I’m hoping you may sneak in time for a quick read – what really resonated with me is how much nurturing we can deliver to ourselves and others with the question “how is your heart”?.
Just saying it in my mind while I’m writing this is centering, calming, grounding. If I pause to ask myself this, and pause to ask you, then for just that one little moment we’re both getting to slow down, rest, breathe.
When I first read this in 2015 what stuck was the discussion of how busy we all are and how to keep us connected as humans. That part still speaks to me but my head space has shifted a bit since then. I’ve been more consistent with my morning “8 minutes” which I believe is making a difference, I lost my Mom, my life is in a different phase so I’m (at least for the moment) feeling busy but not that frantic, drained busy. So right now what resonates for me is the love in that question.
Today, ask yourself, and those around you “how is your heart” – then quiet your being (mind, body, spirit) and listen for the answer.
OMG this made me cry. This is one of the most beautiful expressions I’ve ever heard. Thank you for sharing. <3
Isn’t it? There’s something so bare about it. It definitely makes me misty.