Wholehearted

This TED talk by Dr. Brené Brown, who is a research professor at the University of Houston, Graduate College of Social Work could save humanity...if people would only take the time to listen to what she has to say. 

Here's the thing: 
When you live wholeheartedly--with your heart wide open and vulnerable, willing to show other people who you really are, imperfections, messy problems, and all--you will have life abundantly, just as Jesus said.  Like Him you will face rejection that will pierce your heart.(sometimes from people who you deeply care about)  It will hurt excruciatingly. But, it will be worth it--really seeing, touching, feeling, connecting, loving, living, experiencing ALL of life and not just the parts you aren't afraid of--because you will be truly alive.

May I suggest the first step in becoming wholehearted? Love the people in your life just as they are, without judging them or trying to shape them into the fantasy of who you want them to be. You may be thinking: that's easy for you to say. You don't know my husband, boyfriend, child, parent, sibling, co-worker, friend, neighbor.  That's true. But, I do know this:  no one is perfect. We are all horribly flawed. Every single one of us has problems and imperfections of all sizes. When you begin to really love and accept others just as they are right now you will be giving them the gift of connection and belonging. In time they will develop the courage to be authentic, to believe in their worthiness, and to grow. You will have given them a chance to LIVE.

But, most importantly by doing this for them you will have done it for yourself, too. 

Dr. Brown's message isn't new. It's just been re-packaged with a new name. There was once a man who taught people how to become wholehearted. He called his teaching The Way and the Life.  Here is a brief sample of his teaching--a teaching that was so radical we are still struggling to follow it over two thousand years later. Yet, there is no hidden meaning in his words. His message is simple, clear, and easy to understand. It's just really difficult to do:

“If you love those who love you, what benefit is that to you? For even sinners (if you have problems with this word you may insert: mean people, rude people, hurtful people, selfish people)  love those who love them. And if you do good to those who do good to you, what benefit is that to you? For even sinners do the same. And if you lend to those from whom you expect to receive, what credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners, to get back the same amount. But love your enemies, and do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return, and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High (God), for he is kind to the ungrateful and the evil. Be merciful, even as your Father is merciful.  Judge not, and you will not be judged; condemn not, and you will not be condemned; forgive, and you will be forgiven;  give, and it will be given to you.  (Luke 6:32-38)