The Journey from the Head to the Heart

The journey from the head to the heart is only 8 inches long, yet many people do not quite make it in their lifetime. This journey happens when we take the road of humility and value kindness, respect, and love.

I read a story about a monk trying to save a scorpion on a leaf that was adrift on a river. Every time he reached out, the scorpion would bite back. When asked why he kept doing it, the monk’s reply was: “It is the nature of the scorpion to bite. 

It is my nature to love. Why should I give up my nature to love just because of the scorpion’s nature to bite?” Someone said that the distance between one’s head and heart is only 8 inches, and many don’t quite make the journey from their head to their heart in their lifetime. At some point in our lives, we will be reminded that we have a heart and that matters of the heart do matter. May we not become intellectually proud as to belittle the heart.

The journey from the head to the heart begins when we take the road of humility. Pride is the biggest baggage some people have. Pride is why people do not go down on their knees in prayer to Someone greater than themselves.

The journey from the head to the heart happens when we focus less on the work and “achievements” of our hands and focus more on the love in our hearts. More than a successful life, may we live a meaningful life with a heart filled with love for God and service to our brothers and sisters.

The journey from the head to the heart happens also when, beyond right or wrong, we value kindness, respect, understanding, and love.

The journey from the head to the heart becomes a reality when we talk less, and listen more. That is when we realize that we have so much to learn from each other, and that every person is worth stopping for, and worth listening to.

Listen to nature, listen to the sound of silence, listen to what people are not saying, listen to God in prayer, and listen to your heart.

The journey from the head to the heart takes on a new meaning when we focus less on being impressive and focus more on being expressive. As someone beautifully put it: “People don’t care how much you know, as long as they know how much you care.” 

On the contrary, those who are not afraid to express what is in their hearts are the bravest and freest people in the world. When we are in the last stretch of our life journey, may we have little or no regrets that we loved God and others, too little or too late. (Photo: Pixabay) – (Fr. Jerry M. Orbos/SVD)

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Contact me at: melaku@comboniyouth.org

Father Melaku Tafesse Amente