Is following your heart impractical?
Recently, I was given advice from an experienced, retired businessman (for which I am truly grateful!). At one point, he remarked that he usually doesn’t get along with artists because they just want to do whatever they want to do and he always wants to bring them back to the numbers.
Sadly, somehow, this seems to be the general perception that society has of creatives and artists. That we just “follow our hearts” and do whatever we want. That we are impractical.
“Follow your heart,” is something we say all the time. There are movies and books and speeches and all kinds of inspirational quotes made about it. But the message that is truly being said in our society seems to be closer to, “Follow your heart, but only during certain times or in certain ways, otherwise you are being impractical and irresponsible.”
Following your heart and being responsible seem to have been placed in opposing corners.
But I don’t think they are opposites at all. I think they need each other and wonder if the happiest people have discovered how beautifully they intertwine.
It is my experience that, when you have a lot of heart for something and put your heart in the driver’s seat, it becomes a powerful force that propels you to do, learn, be, grow into whatever it takes to follow that passion.
Following your heart gives you the courage to express your unique voice. It gives you the strength to ask for help and learn new skills. It gives you the stamina to persevere through the challenges and establish discipline. It gives you the centered confidence to share your gifts and the clarity to know what they are worth.
After many, many years of working through the mixed messages I have received, it turns out that “Follow your heart,” was some of the best practical advice ever given. It takes a lot of practice to follow it, but something tells me that my heart will be the reason behind all the practical (and impractical) things that create the meaningful successes in my life.
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