This year has been such an incredible time of self-examination and awareness, all the little seeds which were planted through covid – during my time alone with my bible and my journal, are now bearing fruit and a chance to truly exercise and explore all that I have learned about myself and my refreshed perspective of the world which surrounds me.
One of my most recent revelations has been examining my motives of the heart. What I mean by this is, what drives the certain actions, behaviours and choices that I take? What is that “thing” behind the “thing?” As exhaustive as it sounds, my mind started to analyse even the mundane everyday things and why I chose to respond, view or act in certain ways at certain times. As painful as some realisations were (cue pride, anger and negative self-talk) by opening up certain motives, it then allowed me to “check” the ones that were not serving me – acknowledge them and “park” them.
If our ultimate goal in life is a peaceful spirit, then we have to examine the motives of our heart – the lies we tell ourselves and the things we give far too much weight to that rob us of our precious time, energy and resources. The heart, as strange as this sounds, can lie to us – it can make something that is toxic long-term for us, seem wonderful. A barometer and self-check is essential in “detoxifying” our hearts desires. A heart for example can at times desire revenge. A friend could have simply rubbed you up the wrong way and your response can be short, sharp and snappy in rebuttal. Not peace driving is it? But the heart wants what the heart wants at that moment right? Feels right? Feels justified? The driving force of our heart, becomes what we pour into in our lives.
When we examine our hearts’ motives ongoingly we can check things like toxic responses and turn the other cheek, lead with love and compassion and ultimately lead a peaceful life.
Stop and ask yourself your heart’s motives today. What’s the actual reason behind posting that image on social media? Validation? Think of some other items, I bet there will be at least five things which surprise you.
